Kamloops – 654 Fortune Drive

Thank you for your inquiry, Tony. Yes, the future tenants will pay rent and sign a program agreement which has stricter guidelines than a Residential Tenancy Agreement (RTA). The housing operator makes every effort to work with the individual to help them integrate successfully within the supportive housing and wider community. We recognize the importance of helping people maintain their housing. Eviction is only used as a last resort in some cases of breaching the agreement. If an operator ends an agreement and evicts a resident, they will investigate other housing and shelter options, so that individuals will not become homeless again.

Thank you for your inquiry, Tony. Here are some examples of successful Kamloops projects:

• Non-profit operator: ASK Wellness.
  • Spero House and Mission Flats Manor.
• Non-profit operator: CMHA
  • Rosethorn House
    
    

Please visit our website to learn more about supportive homes in Kamloops.

Thank you for your inquiry. Fortune Drive Motel has not opened yet. We are doing our best to get Fortune Drive operating as soon as possible to support the Kamloops community. We are working closely with the City of Kamloops to proceed with the building permit which would allow us to complete building renovations. At present, we are undertaking non-structural renovations not requiring a building permit in an effort to expedite the renovation process. We appreciate your understanding.

Thank you for your inquiry. We are exploring options for future redevelopment, and we are not planning on proposing any more living units than currently exist in the motel building, therefore development permitting, and rezoning are not required. BC Housing has a temporary work permit to undertake minor renovations.

Thank you for your support. It is appreciated. 

BC Housing’s supportive housing buildings are operated based on the widely recognized and proven Housing First model. Residents at these sites, and all other supportive housing buildings that BC Housing is affiliated with, are permitted to make their own choices regarding lifestyle. This includes the decision to abstain or use drugs/alcohol in the privacy of their homes. If they choose to use, the operators will work with each tenant ensure they use safely.     

We take a harm reduction approach, which means staff is available to support any residents who are in various phases of substance use and the building would be set up with the ability to provide a safe space for residents who are active substance users.     

Harm reduction acknowledges that many people may not be able to remain abstinent. The harm reduction approach meets people where they are at and provides an option to engage with peers, medical and social services in a non-judgmental way.     

The overarching goal of the harm reduction approach is to prevent the negative consequences of substance use and to improve health. Harm reduction approaches and programming are a best practice for engaging with individuals with substance use issues.    

The operator would work with Interior Health in determining best practices to ensure tenants are safe and healthy. When residents are ready to make a change, staff on site would connect them with the appropriate health and support services.   

Thank you for your support. It is very much appreciated.

We know that street homelessness isn’t working for anyone – not for those who are homeless, and not for surrounding communities.

The Province is working to address the ongoing housing crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. This has led us to explore purchasing hotels and other spaces to provide indoor spaces in Kamloops. This site is just one of many in Kamloops. Last year the Province had over 1,000 new homes complete or underway across Kamloops including: 

•    290 homes for low to moderate income earners

•    155 homes for people experiencing homelessness

•    44 homes for women and their children leaving violence

•    533 student housing beds

This site was chosen because of the increasing demand for homes with supports, their availability, costs and proximity to transit and other services. 

This site was chosen because of the increasing demand for homes with supports, their availability, costs and proximity to transit and other services. People who experience homelessness are as varied as any other neighbour. They may, in fact,  be seniors, persons with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use. All residents in supportive housing have made a choice to work towards living a healthy, stable life. 

Regarding proximity to schools, many supportive housing sites for people experiencing homelessness across the province have been operating in their communities and near schools for 10+ years with no issues and with support from the community. There are over 210 provincially funded supportive housing sites across the province that are within 500 metres of a school, and 52% of provincially funded supportive housing sites in B.C. within 500 metres of schools have been operating for 10+ years.     

Unfortunately, real estate transactions cannot be confirmed until they are concluded.   There are a number of reasons for that, but the most important reason is that it could result in the potential jeopardizing of the real estate transaction.  This would inhibit our ability to address the housing mandate before us.  Once a real estate transaction is finalized, our commitment is to engage with the community and provide opportunities for dialogue and conversation so that we can build our partnership and ensure successful community integration into neighbourhoods.

Yes, we were aware of the plan, and it will be taken into consideration as we work through the longer term plan for the development. 

BC Housing will apply for rezoning and will work closely with the city and the community on future long-term plans for the site. A proposed long-term use has not yet been determined.