There was overwhelming support at city council Monday (Sept. 23) for the last of three supportive housing projects for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The final 60 tiny homes will be built on property at 3199 Appaloosa Road. Area residents are unhappy it含羞草研究社檚 coming to their neighbourhood citing concerns over safety, theft, vandalism, and drug use.
Councillor Ron Cannan addressed concerns about the potential for a "wet facility," where drugs and alcohol consumption would be allowed.
含羞草研究社淎s a city, a good neighbour policy, and the concerns we含羞草研究社檝e heard why can含羞草研究社檛 we mandate that this be a high barrier, sober facility,含羞草研究社� he said.
Mayor Tom Dyas pointed to the success at other supportive sites in the city, and provincial recognition at the recent Union of BC Municipalities Convention.
含羞草研究社淎ppaloosa also follows through on our commitment to strive for a balanced distribution of support throughout Kelowna,含羞草研究社� Dyas added. 含羞草研究社淥ther municipalities in B.C. are looking for us to support and advance the delivery of similar projects.含羞草研究社�
Coun. Luke Stack noted the city promised to deliver 180 supportive units, which are spread over sites on Crowley Avenue, Highway 97 North and Appaloosa Rd.
含羞草研究社淧ersonally, I含羞草研究社檓 going to take a duck on this,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e had great success with the first two properties and I含羞草研究社檓 proud to stand behind this as a third site. I know there are concerns. I don含羞草研究社檛 care what corner of our city you put this in we would have concerns.含羞草研究社�
Coun. Gord Lovegrove also acknowledged residents含羞草研究社� concerns, adding addressing homelessness is a council priority.
含羞草研究社淚 just want you to appreciate how much effort your council and city staff are putting into this to make sure that you have a quality of life in your neighbourhood that you can be comfortable with and proud of that will not be altered.含羞草研究社�
The three sites are part of the provincial governments含羞草研究社� Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) and Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) programs.
BC Housing will oversee the development at 3199 Appaloosa Road, owned by the city and leased to the province, and will hire a social service agency to operate the facility which is scheduled to open in winter 2025.
Council voted to rezone the property, allowing the project to move forward, with Cannan opposed.
