At the Jan. 15 meeting of Comox town council, a motion was carried to initiate a service review of the Comox Valley Regional District鈥檚 (CVRD) Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Land Acquisition Service 450 due to concerns regarding its expanded scope and governance.  

The Town of Comox has participated in Service 450 since its inception in May 2009. The service was established to support land acquisition for emergency shelter and supportive housing.  

The CVRD Board recently approved expanding the scope of Service 450 to align with their newly developed strategic goal of creating a Housing Corporation, providing additional grants to organizations supporting the unhoused and developing a non-market housing master plan. The Town of Comox has chosen to support affordable housing and related initiatives locally through direct funding to support organizations. 

鈥淕iven the current economic pressures on the town and our residents鈥攊ncluding rising infrastructure costs under Bill 44 and an influx of new residents鈥攖he town鈥檚 position is that the scope of Service 450 has changed from its original scope agreed upon in 2009," said Comox Mayor Nicole Minions.

"As a result, the town has chosen to continue funding these types of initiatives locally. While we acknowledge the importance of the work the CVRD aims to accomplish, the town remains committed to supporting affordable housing initiatives in the Comox Valley through the continuation of direct contributions."