Plans for an emergency warming centre in Powell River prompted a long discussion about the homeless shelter and its ongoing impacts at last week’s council meeting.
Lift Community Services operates the Joyce Avenue shelter and has applied for a permit to open temporary space next door when cold weather hits. Shelter neighbours want to see security on site all night, but Lift’s housing services manager Julie Jenkins said that won’t be possible for the warming centre.
“I know there’s been discussion of security, unfortunately we have not been able to secure funding for security through the extreme weather response program,” she said.
Jenkins said Lift has opened the conversation about security with BC Housing, the RCMP and the city. She acknowledged the ongoing issues neighbours experience with shelter patrons, and says they are looking for a better location.
“We are actively looking for an alternative location for the shelter, and that’s for the permanent shelter next door,” she said at the meeting. “I know our temporary use permit expires in December of this year, I would love to move the shelter tomorrow if we had an adequate location. I don’t think that anyone thinks that it’s ideal.
“We do understand that challenges are serious in the current location that we have for our neighbours,” she said.
Council also heard from the operator of a senior’s centre nearby, and the owner of a dental clinic, who have had numerous negative experiences and escalating clean-up and security bills since the shelter opened.
Council is in favour of issuing a temporary permit without requiring security, the final decision will be made at the December 21 meeting.
The cold weather shelter will only be activated when temperatures drop below freezing, and is only available until mid-April.
