Westview Ratepayers Society (WRS) is requesting qathet Regional Hospital District board ensure lease compliance for the supportive housing facility at 4910 Joyce Avenue.
At the August 26 hospital board meeting, WRS supportive housing subcommittee representative Sherry Burton urged the board to demonstrate leadership and take meaningful steps toward resolution. She suggested three steps: initiate dialogue with BC Housing to address operational concerns; explore amendments to the lease to better protect residents, staff and the surrounding community; and conduct a formal review or audit of lease compliance and share findings transparently with the public.
BC Housing leases the regional hospital district land on which the supportive housing facility is located.
Burton drew the board’s attention to an item of new business later in the board’s agenda, which called for the hospital board to direct staff to bring back a report on the definitions of nuisance within the current lease agreement at 4910 Joyce Avenue and options to ensure compliance from the tenant. Burton asked that the staff report, if voted on by the board, not only address the definition of nuisance, but also hazardous substances and permitted uses as defined in the lease.
Burton said a previous delegation to the hospital board raised concerns regarding nuisance as outlined in the lease.
“Specifically, the tenant will not carry on, or permit to be carried on, in or upon the leased area, anything that constitutes a nuisance or annoyance,” said Burton.
She also brought up lease definitions for hazardous substances and permitted uses.
“Credible, substantiated reports from current and former supportive housing clients and staff indicate activities such as smoking or inhaling hazardous substances, drug and sex trafficking, theft and coercion, are occurring on the leased premises,” said Burton. “These activities are not only illegal, they fall outside the lease’s permitted uses and directly violate its nuisance and hazardous substances provision.
“Respectfully, we believe the board has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that both the hospital district and BC Housing not only comply with nuisance, but permitted uses and hazardous substances terms of the lease. These provisions exist to protect supporting housing clients, staff and the broader community.”
Burton said transparency, accountability and collaboration are essential to restoring trust and demonstrating responsible stewardship.
“We urge the board to act decisively and compassionately,” said Burton. “If the board is unwilling to act, we ask that this position be clearly stated, enabling the community to understand the constraints and consider alternative paths forward.”
Burton asked who is responsible for ensuring compliance to the terms of the legal and binding agreement between BC Housing and qathet Regional Hospital District.
“Is that a staff responsibility or is it the board’s responsibility?” asked Burton.
City of Powell River director Rob Southcott said there are a multitude of questions regarding what the board can do and what the regional hospital district can do. He said these are questions the board does not have answers for quite yet.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
