A temporary overnight homeless shelter in Grand Forks will be running for another two years.
City council approved the temporary use permit this morning (March 3) for the 15-bed shelter in the former Hardy View Lodge on 78th Avenue through March 2027.
BC Housing will have to provide monthly updates on finding a permanent location.
Councillor Zak Eburne-Stoodley explains what council is looking for in those reports.
“My vision would be the reports that we get from staff on all the capital projects. Hey, we’ve got this thing coming up, it needs this permit, we’re at this stage. It’s at this stage, it needs this approval. Here’s some things we’ve investigated. So not just nothing but just, hey, we’re doing something. Here’s steps we have taken to accomplish this goal,” Eburne-Stoodley said.
Eburne-Stoodley also asked BC Housing to “nudge” the operator, Boundary Family Services, to provide detailed stats.
Several councillors say the agency provides them no information.
Councillor David Mark says occupancy rates alone don’t show whether the shelter is helping.
“These statistics are vitally important to what has been purported to be what you’re actually trying to do, which is take people that are living outdoors and help them get back into society, back into sustainable housing. Just having a number of, yes they’re here no they’re not, it’s not actually really keeping track of much of the progress,” Mark explained.
BC Housing spokesman Tyler Baker says a system is not in place for the operator – Boundary Family Services – to provide stats on a regular basis.
The shelter is located in the 834 square meter (9,000 square foot) northeastern wing of the building at 2320 78th Avenue.
BC Housing says 82 individuals accessed the service in the past year.
The shelter has been in operation since 2019.
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