Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (Image Credit: Flickr / Government of BC)

By Aaron Schulze

Lamplighter Housing

BC Housing purchases former Lamplighter Motel, will transition it to permanent supportive housing

Dec 9, 2022 | 11:07 AM

KAMLOOPS — An old motel in Valleyview will be seen in a new light.

In a news release issued Friday (Dec. 9), the B.C. government announced BC Housing purchased the former Lamplighter Motel at 1901 Trans-Canada Highway East for Kamloops residents at risk of homelessness to live.

The one-storey building has 31 units, each with its own washroom, along with a reception area and an additional two-bedroom manager’s suite.

“With this purchase, people will get to stay in the homes they’ve been accustomed to over the past couple of years, ensuring they have a permanent, supportive home to live in close to friends and family,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing says. “Through our permanent housing plan, our government is making temporary homes created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, permanent, so that vulnerable people have a safe and stable foundation to build a better life.”

The former Lamplighter Motel has been leased by BC Housing since October 2021 as temporary supportive housing for people experiencing or who are at risk of homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the purchase means residents will be able to stay in the building.

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ASK Wellness Society (ASK), which has managed the site since October 2021, will continue to operate the building with staff on site 24/7. Support services include daily meals, life-skills training, vocational supports and health and wellness services.

“As a transitional supportive housing program, the vision for Lamplighter is to provide culturally appropriate services to those who are prepared to embrace prioritizing their health, employment and educational advancement,” Bob Hughes, ASK CEO says. “We are proud to partner with Open Door Group to create vocational supports for those who have demonstrated a readiness to embrace those priorities.”

The province says BC Housing will apply for rezoning to transition the Lamplighter’s spaces into permanent supportive housing. The site will continue to operate as temporary housing in the meantime.