Photo: File photo

Penticton City Council will be reviewing a request from BC Housing on Tuesday, looking to see the temporary emergency winter shelter at 352 Winnipeg Street continue for an additional year.

The original expectation for the emergency shelter permit was to cease operation on April 1, 2021, but now will be looked at running until March 31, 2022.

Council begrudgingly approved the temporary winter homeless shelter at Victory Church in October in a response to the public health orders that were in place heading into the winter, as it was not possible to accommodate the usual numbers at Compass Court.

Staff is recommending for Council to choose between one of two options: Either deny BC Housing’s request outright or direct staff to begin public consultation and consider the request in an upcoming meeting.

Direction for staff to work with the City’s Safety and Security Advisory Committee and bring back recommendations to Council on supportive housing and shelter location selection guidelines are also being suggested, to ensure that any future facilities are located in locations that adhere to the criteria.

“Supportive housing”, as was shared by 100 More Homes at the February 16, 2021 Committee of the Whole, is a part of recovery-orientated services for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“Currently, Penticton does not have location selection criteria for shelters or supportive housing. This can make it difficult for service providers, BC Housing, Interior Health, the Province, and others to understand the City’s expectations when selecting a location for a shelter or housing,” the report reads.

Staff would also like to see community partners, like 100 More Homes, engaged to draft location selection criteria to help in the community’s decision-making of the location of housing options.

In BC Housing's application to operate the shelter at the subject property year-round for an additional year, they cite the need for the additional shelter space due to COVID and the need in the community.

Penticton and District Society for Community Living (PDSCL) will continue to operate the facility as it has since its opening in November 2020. - The shelter will continue to be staffed 24/7 with a minimum of two staff on at all times and potentially more during the daytime with continuing security patrol 24/7.

During consideration of the original application, staff outlined that Council did hear concerns from neighbouring residents and business groups on the location of the facility.

In Council’s previous discussion with the original application, it was concluded that for next year a different location should be identified if Compass House could not return to its pre-COVID capacity due to health orders.

If the application is denied, the property could still be used as a hygiene centre and COVID-19 isolation centre. City staff would communicate to BC Housing and the current facility operator, PDSCL, that the expectation is that the emergency shelter will cease operation on April 1, 2021 as planned.

If Council considers the request and directs staff to do public consultation, letters would be sent by staff to all properties within a 45m radius from the subject property and advertise the intention for the continued use of the facility for an additional year. A technical report would also be prepared with an analysis and a recommendation with options for council to consider.

Staff would also, likely, invite BC Housing and/or PDSCL to an upcoming meeting to present to Council and be available to answer questions.

BC Housing has requested that Council consider the subject application at its earliest convenience.

The CIty will hear the full report and proposal from BC Housing on Tuesday.