Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

ACCESS HUB

‘Our goal is all the same’; BC Ministry of Housing working to make access hub model a reality for Kamloops

Apr 19, 2024 | 1:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The responsibility of shelters and social services falls on the province and not municipalities. For Kamloops and its access hub model, that means it needs buy-in from the government.

“It’s a conversation that is happening in Kamloops and other communities,” said BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. “BC Housing is at the table working with them, trying to figure out how everyone can coordinate because in the end our goal is all the same. We want to make sure the most vulnerable have the supports they need so they can get the foundational supports so they can get back to their families and be reconnected within their communities.”

When a location is confirmed, the hub will become home to a number of social agencies helping bring those suffering from homelessness and addiction closer to recovery.

“Not being able to navigate the system and finding out who to go to. When a person is homeless you have them for a moment. You may not find them again for weeks because of mental health, maybe addiction or maybe just because they don’t know where to go. And so have the ability to have one place is a good thing,” said Kahlon, who confirmed the model is being investigated in Nanaimo and Vancouver as well.

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While having all of those services together may still be a cause for concern for some residents, the city stressed the importance of safety for both the homeless population and the community.

“Making sure that it is a safe a secure space. Having reputable operators in there, some of our strong non-profit partners in community working together in collaboration,” said Assistant Community and Culture Director Carmin Mazzotta.

Kahlon is also responsible for BC Housing, who is working with the city to secure land on the North Shore.

“We are always actively looking at what locations might be good fits. We haven’t landed on anything yet. But council has been very keen to work with us on housing solutions and I intend to take their offer up,” said Kahlon.

Kahlon did confirm that the ministry is aligned with the city, with a goal of opening the access hub before winter.