Town of View Royal Council Report - BC Housing - 94 Talcott Road – Extension of Use as a Shelter

COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council
DATE: June 29, 2016
FROM: Kim Anema, CAO
MEETING DATE: July 5, 2016

BC Housing 94 Talcott Road Extension of Use as a Shelter

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council considers an extension of the shelter use until November 1, 2016;

AND THAT Council sends a letter to BC Housing advising that a rezoning application must be received prior to any further consideration of an extension.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To advise Council regarding the request for extended use of 94 Talcott as The Choices shelter for homeless managed by Our Place Society.

BACKGROUND:

During the Council meeting held February 16, 2016 Council conducted the following business:

Use of the Youth Custody Centre (94 Talcott Road) for the Homeless

The Director of Protective Services discussed his recent meeting with BC Housing and Our Place regarding use of the Youth Custody Centre for homeless persons. He noted that these proponents will ensure Building and Fire Code compliance.

Council discussed the screening process for residents of the shelter, storage of personal possessions, formulation of emergency response plans, handling of bylaw infractions, and the costs for additional enforcement and investigations if required.

Mayor Screech noted that he will write a letter to BC Housing requesting that they go through the appropriate channels with the Town prior to making any future plans regarding the Youth Custody Centre to ensure community engagement.

The Director of Protective Services will provide monthly updates to Council during the next six months.

MOVED BY: Councillor Weisgerber
SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers

WHEREAS the homeless issue is truly a regional problem and we believe that all jurisdictions must be part of the solution;

AND WHEREAS BC Housing has facilitated an initiative to use the Youth Custody Centre as a facility for the homeless on a temporary basis;

AND WHEREAS BC Housing and Our Place Society will upgrade the facilities to the extent required to accommodate the intended use of the facility by the homeless on a temporary basis;

AND WHEREAS Our Place Society will operate the shelter to offer 24/7 support services, storage, laundry and daily meals for the temporary use by the homeless;

THEREFORE BE RESOLVED THAT the Town of View Royal supports BC Housing and Our Place Society by allowing temporary use of the Youth Custody Centre facility as a shelter location for the homeless for a period not to exceed six (6) months.

CARRIED

Anecdotally complaints and concerns have been expressed by residents in the general area of 94 Talcott. Bylaw enforcement and the RCMP have not experienced an unusual or significant number of complaints associated with this location.

INFORMATION:

The letter dated May 24, 2016 from BC Housing advises an intention to apply for rezoning to the appropriate land use and it requests an extension to the current use enabling continued operation of the Choices Shelter to March 31, 2017. To date, no meetings with staff have occurred to discuss the potential application.

The immediate piece of business to be considered is the request for an extension. The comment regarding rezoning will be addressed once we become aware of the details of a rezoning application.

Council has the discretion to not enforce the bylaw at this time. And in the future, they may reconsider whatever instructions they provide to staff with respect to this matter.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council considers an extension of the shelter use until November 1, 2016;

AND THAT Council sends a letter to BC Housing advising that a rezoning application must be received prior to any further consideration of an extension.

SUBMITTED BY:
Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer