By Cheryl Jahn

Temporary housing moves forward

Apr 22, 2024 | 10:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Council has approved a temporary use application for 43 units of supportive housing at the 397 Third Avenue.

According to the City, crews can move in to have the housing in place this fall and in the words of Councillor Brian Skakun, there is an “end in sight for Moccasin Flats. This is the right thing to do.”

Last June, the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the the Province under the HEART and HEARTH program, which aimed to end encampments. However, the Moccasin Flats encampment has been protected by the courts until “suitable housing” was found for the residents of that camp.

A letter from the Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon, reads as follows in part:

Emergency alert test

BC emergency alert test coming May 8

23m ago

rick kelly

Rick Kelly bids farewell to 101.3 The River

49m ago

PG Fire Rescue

Fire Rescue respond to fire near Carrie Jane Gray Park

19h ago

“Regarding the Provincial commitments, I can confirm the funding through BC Housing to support the opening the opening of the HEARTH 397 3rd Ave site for 43 units with the intent that this site will be used as transitional housing (“HEARTH 397”).

It goes on to read:

“I would like to further acknowledge the City’s request for provincial information sharing regarding the intent to seek an application to the courts to close the Lower Patricia Encampment to overnight sheltering following offers of suitable alternative shelter and housing to the occupants. I understand that, following the the closure of the Lower Patricia Encampment, it is the City’s intent to remediate and close the site to permanent sheltering.”

The motion passed unanimously, however there was the caveat that if the shelter does not result in the intended result, the temporary use permit can be pulled.

In the meantime, a Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Kyle Sampson with the support of Councillors Cori Ramsay and Tim Bennett, was supported. The Motion was put forward to hold a Community Safety Town Hall meeting “to provide an opportunity for community members, business owners, and other stakeholders to share their concerns, ask questions, and share ideas with key City of Prince George staff and members of Council in addressing the encampments, and complex social issues throughout our community.”