The 16-bed temporary shelter at 1251 Cypress St. will remain open until the end of June thanks, to a BC Housing announcement Thursday of an additional $60,000.
This at least partially fulfills one of three requests made to city council by the Grassroots Kind Hearts Society (GKHS) who have been feeding dinner to the homeless of the community for the past year at various locations downtown – most recently and most visibly at a camp on the lawns of city hall.
At the April 11 meeting of city council, GKHS requested that council continue to pressure BC Housing into making temporary shelter beds available until such time as a permanent facility can be built, that a place be granted to the group near that temporary shelter location for them to continue to serve meals, and that council commit to working with the group to find a location for this proposed permanent facility.
“The City of Campbell River is extremely appreciative for the continued support of the Government of B.C. and for extending funding that directly supports those who are the most vulnerable and in need in the community,” said Mayor Andy Adams in the release about the funding. “We look forward to working collaboratively with our provincial partners to find long term sustainable solutions.”
In addition to the new $60,000 for the emergency shelter, $70,000 was provided from the provincial government, “for outreach services to help connect individuals who are homeless to appropriate supports, such as mental health and addictions services, in the Campbell River area,” though where those dollars will be allocated was not specified.
The announcement also states that 10 rent supplements will be provided to the John Howard Society, “to connect those in need to more stable and long-term housing.”
Response to the announcement from GKHS and other affected organizations was not available by the Mirror’s press deadline.
Watch campbellrivermirror.com for more information as it becomes available.