By Adam Berls

college heights concerns

‘We don’t want this’: College Heights residents not happy with proposed complex care project

Aug 29, 2024 | 4:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Emotions ran high at a community meeting in College Heights on Tuesday night.

Uneasy residents voiced their concerns over a 10-unit complex care housing unit which is slated to be built on McGill Crescent. Representatives from Community Living BC and Northern Health were present to answer questions as they are involved in the project. A representative from BC Housing was not present.

Mayor Simon Yu says that he wants to have a meeting between council and BC Housing to discuss further details and communication to residents in the area.

“We are elected by the people here with a certain trust to make sure any development in their neighbourhood is communicated to them in a timely fashion. Why College Heights? Why this location? Why ten units?” – Mayor Simon Yu

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Many questions from residents included who would be housed in the 10 units, but those answers could not be provided directly, as Community Living BC and Northern Health do not know yet. On Monday when speaking with Councillor Cori Ramsay, she said that until more is known about the project, residents should bear in mind the need for complex care in the community.

“These sorts of facilities do take their neighbourhoods into consideration. They don’t want them to be disruptive. They want the people that are utilizing their services to become integrated into the community.” – Councillor Cori Ramsay

BC Housing says that “this project will help fill a critical service gap in Prince George, supporting people for whom substance use is not a primary concern but who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and need a safe space with support.”

In a statement to CKPG News, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, said the following:

“The project is to support people with complex care needs who are at risk of homelessness in Prince George, BC Housing (BCH), in partnership with Northern Health (NH) and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA), plans to build a home at 3177 McGil Cres. that will provide 10 complex care housing units. Northern Health will partner with Community Living BC—an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities and other challenges—to provide on site services for residents. Services may include primary care, social and cultural supports, peer support and programming, assistance with activities of daily living, and specialized mental health and addiction services.”

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com