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Kamloops  

Hamer-Jackson's motion requesting review of homeless storage facility surprises operators

Mayor's motion a surprise

Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has introduced a motion suggesting city staff review and look into the possibly of relocating a storage facility for the homeless across the street from city hall — a motion that caught the operators of the facility off guard.

In his motion, Hamer-Jackson proposed staff “prepare a report for council’s consideration regarding a review and potential relocation of the services offered at 48 Victoria St. West.”

The motion was introduced during a council meeting on Tuesday. Council members will debate and vote on Hamer-Jackson’s motion during their Jan. 31 meeting.

The mini-storage building — which also offers shower, laundry and mail services for vulnerable people — is funded by the City of Kamloops, with Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society team members helping to operate the facility.

Cal Albright, KAFS executive director, said there were no discussions with the society before the motion was introduced.

“I anticipate that we will be having a discussion about that program and what we think about his [Hamer-Jackson’s] perspective," Albright told Castanet Kamloops.

"I'm not sure his perspective is the city's perspective yet."

Albright said KAFS wants to maintain their partnership with the city, noting the introduced motion "didn’t really feel like a partnership.”

Albright said the facility offers storage services for 200 homeless people and provides a place for them to wash their clothes, take a shower and get some food. He said over time, the team builds relationships with people.

"Our relationship building is really important so that we can be an advocate for them,” Albright said.

“There’s mental health issues, there's drug addiction issues and, of course, they are homeless. So it's really important that we remain in that location because that's where they're at.”

Hamer-Jackson said the mini storage facility was modelled off of a building located on Vancouver’s East Hastings Street which has since closed.

“I'm not saying to close this, but I'm saying we need to review it and look at relocating it, because it's stigmatizing people. We're putting them right there, it's dangerous. There's people getting hit by cars,” Hamer-Jackson said, adding he believes open drug use in the area is stigmatizing those on the street.

“I think we really got to have a look at relocating to a more safe and secure area.”

Hamer-Jackson, who owns a business along Victoria Street West, said if the mini storage facility is moved, the property could return to being a parking lot for city employees, which would save the city money spent on leasing spots.

He said he doesn't currently have any alternate locations in mind for the facility.

Albright said Hamer-Jackson’s motion has sparked a discussion. He said it’s good for the community to understand the importance of the services offered through the storage facility.

“It’s in a highly visible location, but I mean, my goodness, Kamloops is a very prosperous community and wealthy community," he said.

"And I think that, as a community, we don't need to be judgmental, you know — we need to be supportive and we need to have kindness."

He said a cup of coffee or a hot shower can be “the start of a journey” for someone living rough.

“That's why we need to be there, because those people rely on us,” Albright said.

“And then the fact that we're an Indigenous organization and we don't necessarily view them as clients — we include them as relatives. Any one of us can easily be homeless. Circumstances can change so much.”



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