(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

ACCESS HUB

Local stakeholders work to subside concerns over North Shore access hub at open house

Nov 22, 2024 | 12:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Earlier this month, Kamloops city council approved a motion to distribute a notice of intent to consider a temporary use permit at 142 Tranquille Road, the old Butler Auto and RV lot. On Thursday (Nov. 21), nearly 100 Kamloops residents showed up at an open house to learn more about the proposal from the city, BC Housing and local stakeholders, including the proposed operator ASK Wellness. The old RV lot could become the 20-month home of the North Shore access hub if council votes to approve a temporary use permit at an upcoming meeting.

“It’s ranging from how will it run, to why is there so many people starving and struggling with access to food, struggling with access to shelter, why do we have such a homeless crisis?” said ASK Wellness Executive Officer Bob Hughes when asked about the questions he was fielding at the meeting. “I think this is the topic of our time right now, is the fact that just homelessness and addictions is literally over much of the dialogue in our communities.”

The access hub model is designed to bring together several services in one building, including meals, social and health services, connections to housing, employment and wellness.

“Some of their worries about it being come-and-go, like a day space, and we tell them, ‘No, people are registered as guests. They can stay until we find them alternative housing until we can figure out what is the best plan for them,'” added Hughes. “I think this is an opportunity to assuage people’s concerns and their fears and put a face to the big, spooky idea of a shelter coming to a community.”

Two and Out

PETERS: Eby could learn something from Horgan, who bridged the ideological divide between urban and rural B.C.

5h ago

B100's Basics for Babies

B-100's Basics for Babies 2024

6h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Royal Inland Hospital's emergency room uses antimicrobial copper to fight infection

11h ago

Kamloops councillors did not speak to reporters ahead of the upcoming vote in chambers, while city staff directed CFJC News to BC Housing, who declined to comment, citing needed approval from head office. Members of the public, however, were keen to share their thoughts.

“I don’t mind the idea of having a safe place for the residents who don’t have homes, and I think that’s really important,” said one attendee, “but I don’t like the idea of it being a place where people can use.”

“I think that piece of property, the Butler Auto site, is far too valuable to be left as a homeless shelter of any kind,” said another. “It would be a fantastic place for a performing arts centre or another wing of the hospital — something that would really make the North Shore pop.”

While some left the meeting claiming it was a waste of time completely, most found the information helpful and the open house constructive.

“This is something that we really need as a continuum of service for the homeless,” said one attendee. “It’s all very well to push them out of town and say, ‘We don’t want you in here.’ But with something like this you are providing services.”

“We had all of our questions answered. We were quite concerned about the drifting overflow onto our properties and it was a few concerns and it seemed to be all resolved,” said another. “And I’m hopeful that the housing will accommodate everybody over the winter.”

If the access hub gets approved, the goal of the city is to have it open in some capacity before the end of the year to help get more residents off the streets as temperatures drop.