The Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness and the City of Courtenay have secured an Extreme Weather Response Shelter location for the remainder of the 2024/2025 winter.
The shelter will be at 971 Cumberland Road, a city-owned property that, while it was not purchased for this purpose, will house the shelter temporarily until April 2025. The shelter needs construction work, which the city hopes to complete before the new year. Once ready, the shelter will open when weather thresholds are met, and will be open for 12 hours overnight.
Council approved the location during its Dec. 11 meeting.
City of Courtenay Director of Recreation, Culture and Community Susie Saunders spoke to council on the issue, saying that "securing a suitable location for winter shelter services has been proven to be a substantial obstacle across the Comox Valley for the last two years.
"Significant community and organizational effort which includes looking at over 60 properties in the region until now has been unable to secure a location," Saunders said.
Council authorized the use of the building on a temporary basis, because "it does present an opportunity for the City of Courtenay and the region to urgently activate a space for this winter season," Saunders added.
Funding was provided in part by the Comox Valley Regional District, to the tune of $200,000. The city's own financial implications would be at maximum $24,100, according to Saunders' report. That financial impact would be "due to the foregone lease revenue and would not be a direct expenditure."
The city will also be looking to the Town of Comox for additional financial assistance.
"The city has not charged staff time towards this work," Saunders said. "It's estimated that 300 hours have already been dedicated with an
additional 150 expected between now and April 2025 with a total estimated value of $47,000. This is above the level of support a municipality would typically provide, such as permit reviews and temporary use approvals."
Coun. Doug Hillian asked if the province would be able to reimburse the city's costs this year. Staff responded that funding has already been allocated for the year, but that staff will "do our very best to try and negotiate to access funds, and if funds are available, we'll do our best to make sure we have provincial funding in place."
Hillian said, "I think it's important that we provide this service. I just recall the number of our local residents last year who were really concerned that we didn't have anything provided. I don't want us to lose sight of where the responsibility for this rests. I think we need to continue pushing that issue with the province."
According to an email sent by coalition co-ordinator Dayna Forsgren to coalition members, the shelter will be operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society.
Lookout is seeking donations of the following items, which can be stored at the Junction:
- Microwave, fridge
- Shelving (for supplies such as blankets, bedding, etc.)
- Blankets, pillows, and clothing (especially socks)
- Gym mats or similar flooring
- Tables (for eating or staff desks), table lamps
- Hygiene supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, body lotion, etc.)
If you can contribute any of these items, please email comoxvalleyhousing@gmail.com.
Wachiay Friendship Centre has provided new items including a toaster oven, kettles, crock pots, and coffee makers.
