Property at Leigh and Fortune. File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

Low-barrier housing delayed

Kamloops North Shore low-barrier facility shelved due to ‘fiscal constraints’

Apr 2, 2026 | 4:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — A proposed BC Housing low-barrier housing project on the North Shore of Kamloops is now on hold. The site at the corner of Fortune Drive and Leigh Road was being prepared for a 54-unit housing development, but faced stiff opposition from local stakeholders and city councillors.

It was a rare debate among Kamloops city council where the mayor and council were in agreement, wanting to see the site used for recovery-focused housing.

“There was local interest in bringing forward models around recovery that were rejected,” said City of Kamloops Assistant Community and Culture Director Carmin Mazzotta on December 9, 2025. “And instead, we have this new minimum requirements checklist that we see which is very concerning to the service providers.”

Despite the calls from council and service providers like ASK Wellness who wished to run a recovery-focused facility, the province said back in December it would follow the statistics.

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“We clearly need the whole mix, and my understanding is the data shows what is needed first is a lower-barrier option that allows us to move people indoors and that has been the conversation on this side,” Housing Minister Christine Boyle told CFJC News on December 10, 2025. 

The city wanted recovery, the province was on the side of low-barrier – but this week, it’s become clear neither are likely to become reality anytime soon at the site. BC Housing has informed residents in the area the project is deferred, not because of misalignment between province and city but because of fiscal constraints.

“I didn’t love low-barrier at all and I think this was an easy out for a level that has no money and is broke. That is an easy way to get out of this,” said Kamloops Councillor Mike O’Reilly Thursday (April 2).

Regardless of the delay, the messaging from Kamloops council will remain steady – any future use of the site must be recovery-focused.

“We are listening to what our providers are saying, and what they are saying what we need in our community is recovery-focused housing,” added Deputy Mayor Margot Middleton. “It seems to sort of fly a little in the face of common sense for the government to be promoting low-barrier housing when our providers are saying that’s not what we are desperate for.”

The housing minister was not made available for an interview Thursday.