BC Housing is trying again to build a new supportive housing development in Smithers.
At the Smithers council Jan. 9 meeting, representatives from the provincial Crown agency responsible for subsidized housing options presented a new idea to build on a trio of lots on Alfred Avenue.
According to BC Housing, they understand the need for additional supportive housing in the town and across the province. To help address this growing need, BC Housing said it has worked closely with the town to identify three lots on Alfred Avenue as suitable sites for the development of up to 40 new supportive housing units in a three-story building. The proposal requires rezoning and consolidation of the three lots on Alfred, between Queen Street and Aldous Street.
BC Housing said it will work with local partners to ensure the new building will meet the town’s design guidelines, but cannot close on the purchase of the properties until the sites are zoned appropriately.
At the same meeting, Smithers council gave first and second reading to a bylaw amendment that would rezone the lots from C1-A, a residential overlay zone to CD-1, a comprehensive development zone.
Development manager at BC Housing Kirsten Baille said Smithers has a vulnerable unhoused population.
In 2023, 57 people in Smithers were identified as experiencing homelessness compared to 33 in 2021, an increase of 73 per cent.
BC Housing will host an online community dialogue session on Feb. 1, and an in-person session on Feb. 5 to discuss the new proposal.
The community will have an additional opportunity to learn more about the project on Feb. 13 during a public hearing. Council is also scheduled to do the third reading of the bylaw amendment on that date. Adoption of the rezoning is expected in March 2024.
“Supportive housing provides people experiencing homelessness a safe, warm home where they can access on-site supports and referrals,” said BC Housing in a prepared statement. “Without basic life necessities like secure shelter and food, people experiencing homelessness are unable to rebuild their lives. Everyone in the community benefits when people are housed.”
Meanwhile, the provincial agency is also exploring options to rent rooms in a motel or hotel as a temporary winter shelter option.
This comes about six months after a new supportive housing development project slated to go into a hotel along Highway 16 was canned following a public outcry.
BC Housing entered into a conditional sale agreement with the owners of the Capri Motor Inn to purchase the hotel and adjacent restaurant to repurpose the existing buildings. However, neighbours did not want it that location and council felt they couldn’t support the project without the community behind them.
Mayor Glayds Atrill said she was grateful BC Housing was continuing to pursue a way to provide supportive housing and appreciated their plan for community engagement.