A rendered image of an apartment building.
The four-storey supportive housing site would host 54 homes in North Kamloops if approved. Image Credit: BC Housing via City of Kamloops

Controversial North Kamloops supportive housing complex returns to council

A four-storey supportive housing complex is back on the table at Kamloops city council after it was postponed last year.

BC Housing wants to buy up what are currently three separate North Shore homes and replace them with 54 supportive homes.

At the corner of Fortune Drive and Leigh Road, BC Housing’s four-storey development would be run by a non-profit for people who would otherwise be homeless, if approved by council.

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The proposal first came to Kamloops city council for rezoning in August 2024. There was clear concern from area residents at the meeting and council voted to postpone the matter until after the provincial election as BC Housing was unable to provide details amid the campaign period.

The Crown agency hosted neighbourhood consultations late last month. Area residents expressed concerns about safety, drug use and crime in the area if it’s built, while also asking about accountability and qualifications for the non-profit that will eventually operate it.

Most BC Housing supportive housing properties in Kamloops are operated by one of two non-profits: Ask Wellness or Canadian Mental Health Association. In this case, BC Housing is waiting to seek an interested operator until after a potential council approval at its meeting, Feb. 4.

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According to a report from City staff, housing complex would host meal programs and services to connect residents with health care, jobs and life skills. It will have at least two employees on site at all times and security measures like fencing and security cameras.

An approval from council this week will only authorize notifying area residents the properties may be rezoned. If and when final approval might be given has not been decided.

Construction at what’s currently 327 and 321 Fortune Drive and 285 Leigh Road would start within one or two years if approved, according to the report.

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Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.

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