The response to BC Housing’s latest offer to build supportive housing in Smithers has been less contentious than to a proposal last year.
Recently, 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-story building. The proposal requires rezoning and consolidation of the three lots on Alfred, between Queen Street and Aldous Street.
BC Housing held two community information sessions, one via Zoom on Feb . 1 and an in-person one on Feb. 5. Turnout for the Feb. 5 meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion was good and attendees appeared to be more or less favourable to the idea, unlike the public outcry that accompanied a previous plan.
Last summer, 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.
The plan was to create a supportive housing development containing up to 60 units while the building next door, which is currently the Tandoori restaurant would have been converted into a kitchen facility for the housing development. However, one of the conditions of the sale was successful Official Community Plan and zoning amendments for the property.
Those bylaw changes were in front of Smithers council on Aug. 8 for a public hearing and third reading, but council decided not to go ahead because of public disapproval of the plan.
Most of those opposed cited the location as the problem, saying it was not ideal because of the proximity to an elementary school, seniors residence and could be unsightly for tourism.
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.
Currently, there are 28 transitional and supportive housing units in town.
The community will have an additional opportunity to learn more about the new 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.
READ MORE: BC Housing proposes new supported housing development on Alfred Avenue
READ EVEN MORE: Supportive housing development project canned
