Spero House is a supportive housing building located on Tranquille Road (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

COMPLEX CARE HOUSING

B.C. housing minister interested in bringing complex care housing to Kamloops

Mar 12, 2021 | 2:39 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops remains high on the province’s list for more social housing, especially for those who need more mental-health supports.

Speaking with CFJC Today, B.C. Housing Minster David Eby hopes to bring more social housing to the city once the budget is announced in April. It wouldn’t be just for the homeless, but other low-income people struggling with affordable housing as well.

The province has also discussed opening eight complex care sites across B.C. The list of cities hasn’t yet been formulated, but Kamloops is in consideration.

“We’re still working internally within government in terms of the sites of these new buildings, but I definitely acknowledge and appreciate that Kamloops is out of the gates early and asking for this kind of support,” he said.

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The complex care model would help the 12 per cent of the homeless that ASK Wellness notes need more help.

“I think we just need to recognize that we are in this together and that as local non-profit organizations we’ve taken on the task of trying to address homelessness and we can do it for some, but we definitely can’t do it for all,” said ASK Wellness executive director Bob Hughes.

Eby says the province is still working out the details.

“What does somebody need in terms of issues to be stable? Is that a full-time nurse in the building? Is that some kind of other health support in the building? Doctor visits?” proposed Eby. “Really the idea of this housing is that it will be medically-based. This is a real medical approach to housing, and recognizing that there are people that are quite sick who are homeless and need that extra support. It’s a bit more involved and will be more costly than traditional supportive housing.”

Eby also addressed the move by Kamloops city council to amend a motion on social housing. Now, each BC Housing project will be assessed to determine the security and medical needs of each individual building.

“I think that nuance between different projects and operators and different populations is really important,” said Eby. “I think all social housing gets lumped into one group and I’m very appreciative Kamloops council has had a second look.”

Eby says BC Housing already provides security for Rosethorn House and Spero House. He says the province is willing to work with the City of Kamloops to provide additional security where needed.

“If there is a building that’s struggling, we’re totally prepared to have those conversations, and in fact BC Housing has two buildings in Kamloops with 24/7 security and it’s not interfered with,” Eby said. “Where things change a little bit is where these conditions for housing are imposed and it’s just not necessary for a given building.”