The River Street property in question. (Image credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

By Victor Kaisar

River Street Housing

Kamloops Council ‘not interested’ in transitional housing project on River Street

Feb 27, 2025 | 12:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Council says “it is not interested” in seeing a transitional housing project built on a plot of land at 1286, 1292, and 1298 River Street, near the Kamloops Yacht Club.

In a statement Thursday (Feb. 20), City Council says it had a productive meeting with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, where they told him that they “do not consider the project on River Street to be viable in its currently proposed form.”

“We are grateful for the quick response to our Council by the Minister and trust that additional information will be forthcoming,” Deputy Mayor for February, Katie Neustaeter said.

Last Thursday, BC Housing told CFJC Today that it is in early-stage conversations with the City of Kamloops about the feasibility of the project, which they said would be temporary in nature and “not be a shelter.”

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“The proposed project would be funded through the Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH),” BC Housing said in a Feb. 20 statement. “HEARTH housing is transitional housing that provides enhanced supports for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are ready to move on from shelters.”

“Unlike an overnight shelter, transitional housing has self-contained units with locking doors and rooms for personal possessions and residents pay rent.”

While BC Housing was unable to confirm to CFJC how many units could be built, reporting by other media outlets said the proposed facility would include 56 modular units.

“Council acknowledges that the 56 beds are currently needed in Kamloops,” Neustaeter said. “We will continue engaging with the Ministry and BC Housing to explore a potential, appropriate, and temporary leasing of this City land.”

In her statement, Neustaeter also apologized to residents of Kamloops, some of who were concerned by the plans that BC Housing discussed in the media.

“Council also expresses our regret for the disruptions to community that this has caused and thanks our residents for your patience as we address it on your behalf,” Neustaeter said.