Social service agencies unhappy with lack of consultation ahead of Kamloops council decisions

Councillor Bill Sarai had proposed a number of requirements for social housing units in the city, saying the agencies that run these facilities need to be accountable to what their residents are doing.

“The whole purpose should be for people to get better,” he said, “not providing social housing just to let them come in out of the cold, but they can still use drugs, steal to use drugs, cause negative impacts in the neighbouring communities. That’s not what I envisioned when I first saw social housing.”

ASK Wellness Executive Director, Bob Hughes says he’s concerned about finger-pointing toward people in transitional housing and the agencies trying to help them.

“We’re doing as best we can in the circumstances, and those who are in there who are doing well, let’s applaud their efforts, let’s acknowledge that not everybody is blowing out of these buildings and going our and creating havoc in the community,” Hughes said. “There are people in (Spero House) who have gotten jobs, who are stabilizing, who are accessing health care that is available. Could we get more? Do we need more? Yes. But I say it as an invitation to council, let’s work together to try to find the solutions.”

Among items at the meeting, council voted for current and future transitional and supportive housing options to commit to 24/7 security, daily on-site nursing staff (if required) and weekly mental health and addictions counselling.

“Housing is a human right and unfortunately we have a motion in place that actually discriminates on that right for people,” said Alfred Achoba, acting executive director of the Kamloops branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. “We need our clients and anyone in the community to be able to live free without feeling like you’re a criminal. We don’t have security in other apartment buildings and to see that supportive housing and low income housing is being targeted is just unfair.”

Mayor Ken Christian says he doesn’t want BC Housing to stop investing in social housing in Kamloops due to these new restrictions.

“Some people would say, ‘Good riddance,'” he said. “I would caution that’s the wrong approach. BC Housing has put almost 1,800 units in Kamloops over the last five years and they’ve spent over $80 million in our community.”

Sarai says he simply wants to see the people who want help get the help they need.

“And the ones who are stuck in their habits, the places where they’re housed need to be accountable for those individuals,” Sarai said.

The City will be requesting a meeting with provincial ministers regarding the need for a sobering centre and more recovery beds.

by Jill Sperling

Social service agencies unhappy with lack of consultation ahead of Kamloops council decisions

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