BC Housing’s proposal to build supportive housing in Smithers on Alfred Ave. is one step closer after town council gave third reading to necessary zoning changes at their Feb. 13 meeting.
There was a public hearing first at which some people spoke out in favour of the project while others were opposed.
Some were worried about staffing the facility and that there would be an uptick in crime and drug use in the neighbourhood while others felt this was a good opportunity to house the growing homeless population in town.
In 2023, 57 people in Smithers were identified as experiencing homelessness compared to 33 in 2021, an increase of 73 per cent.
Currently, there are 28 transitional and supportive housing units in town.
Earlier this year, BC Housing said it has worked closely with the town to identify three lots on Alfred Avenue as a suitable site for the development of up to 40 new supportive housing units in a three-storey building. The proposal requires rezoning and consolidation of the three lots on Alfred, between Queen Street and Aldous Street.
Councillor Sam Raven said she appreciated all the feedback and added she support the project because of her community support work over the years.
“I have seen the impact of having a roof of your head and a lock on your door,” she said. “It changes lives.”
Councillor John Buikema was the only one in opposition to the zoning changes.
“I am in favour of supportive housing,” he explained. “But what I am really struggling with, is I wonder if we are currently building too big of a concentration of need in one very small area. The homeless encampment, Goodacre Place and now potentially possibly a 40-unit supportive housing complex in one block.”
In the end, Smithers council gave third reading to a bylaw amendment that would rezone the trio of lots from C1-A, a residential overlay zone to CD-1, a comprehensive development zone.
Mayor Gladys Atrill reminded the public that the money to purchase the property and build the project is not coming from the municipality.
Normally municipalities are asked to donate land but in this case, BC Housing used its own money to buy the properties and will finance construction.
Adoption of the rezoning is expected in March.
Deputy mayor Frank Wray said the project will likely take three years before it opens.
READ MORE: BC Housing proposes new supported housing development on Alfred Avenue