Lift Community Services has applied for a temporary use permit to operate an extreme weather response centre in the Community Resource Centre.
At the City of Powell River committee of the whole meeting on November 14, manager of planning services Daniella Fergusson said the purpose of the presentation to the committee was to discuss the temporary use permit for an extreme weather response centre.
“The temporary use permit would be to allow overnight accommodation, with people sleeping on mats in the Community Resource Centre, in the case that an extreme weather alert is issued,” said Fergusson. “This is next door to the separate property that holds the emergency shelter.
“The extreme weather response program is a BC Housing-funded program. The program runs from October 15 to April 15, 2024.”
Fergusson said the way it works is a community organization puts together an extreme weather response plan for BC Housing’s consideration. She said if BC Housing approves it, then it allows the community organization to issue an extreme weather alert when certain conditions are met, such as when there is a zero-degree Celsius temperature, snow accumulation, or a severe wind warning.
“In terms of intensity and compatibility, I think council is aware of concerns in the community about the existing emergency shelter located next door to the proposed site,” said Fergusson. “For the extreme weather response shelter, staff recognize that if this temporary use permit was granted, we could potentially be doubling the number of beds on certain nights this winter.
“On the other hand, it’s important to consider the shelter has been full. We heard a report from Lift Community Services in October about the homelessness count and how the shelter has been operating at capacity. The benefit of having this extreme weather response centre next door to the shelter is, if the shelter is full on a bad weather day, people can go next door to access the additional beds.”
Fergusson said in terms of the temporary nature, Lift has indicated it is looking for a different location for the emergency shelter and the extreme weather response program. She added that staff were proposing the temporary use permit be issued for just this winter, so not a three-year term like the last temporary use permit.
Fergusson said a fire inspection has been conducted and there were some deficiencies that were noted. She added that Lift is working to resolve these issues.
City councillor Cindy Elliott made a motion for the committee to direct staff to give notice of city council’s intention to consider issuance of a temporary use permit to allow operation of an emergency weather response centre until April 15, 2024, at the Community Resource Centre. Approval would be subject to addressing all deficiencies in both buildings to the satisfaction of the fire chief and chief building official, providing professional security to support the operations of the two facilities, and updating the good neighbour agreement to include both buildings.
Mayor Ron Woznow asked about the money set aside to hire individuals who will operate the centre and the money set aside to ensure security.
Julie Jenkins, housing services manager at Lift, said the emergency weather response programs are funded through BC Housing.
“We would have funding for two staff members should the proposal be approved by BC Housing,” said Jenkins. “In terms of security, there is not currently funding allocated for professional security within the emergency weather response program so that would be an additional ask that would need to be brought forward to BC Housing. It may be a barrier.
“I know Daniella [Fergusson] reached out to BC Housing around funding for security and the response was funding is not typically included and they would need to consider an additional ask, which may delay approval of the proposal we put forward.”
Councillor Trina Isakson said she would support a motion that removes the requirement for professional security, given that staff patrol and look after the site. Isakson said she wanted to amend the motion and remove the requirement for professional security.
The amendment motion was defeated. Elliott’s motion carried.
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