Following a four-month wait, BC Housing has acted on a commitment made to Penticton City Council by the Attorney General and Minister responsible for Housing, David Eby, to conduct a review of its three supportive housing sites in Penticton – Burdock, Compass Court and Fairhaven. In a letter sent to City staff on June 16, 2021, BC Housing announced it had retained Harry Cummings and Associates to conduct the review via a process that will span six months.
While BC Housing’s announcement is welcome news, the review’s specific scope of work falls short in key areas.
- City Council had requested that the report be completed prior to the application for more supportive housing in the community, specifically at 3240 Skaha Lake Road. While an application for housing has been made at 3240 Skaha Lake Road, BC Housing has re-oriented the focus towards a recovery housing model.
- The letter is vague on the level of public engagement that will occur. City Council was specific in its request that the public, specifically those living and operating businesses in close proximity to these facilities, will be consulted as to the impact that these facilities have.
“In terms of what Council is looking for, we’ve been clear from the beginning. BC Housing’s letter neither met our expectation for timely and aligned information, nor did it facilitate a notable stride forward on this issue,” said Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki. “In spite of our disappointment, the City will fully participate, and continue to push for transparency of process and results.”
The City can also report that Minister Eby, writing on behalf of Premier John Horgan June 17, 2021, has responded to Mayor Vassilaki’s May 12, 2021 request for the Premier to intervene.
“Concerning Minister Eby’s letter, it contained no follow-up to Council’s request that Premier Horgan intervene on the matter of 352 Winnipeg Street, so we’ll conclude that’s not going to happen and after weeks of delay, BC Housing has finally provided our legal counsel with the information we require to file suit in this matter. Unfortunately, we’ll now need to proceed down that course,” said Vassilaki.