New modular housing on Kamloops' North Shore will be staffed 24 hours a day to increase safety
Emergency cold weather shelter also part of the plan, says ASK Wellness executive director
A supportive housing complex in Kamloops, B.C., will have round-the-clock staff to prevent conflicts between residents and neighbours, says its operator.
Located on the Interior city's North Shore — an area already fraught with crime and drug users — the complex won't be a burden to neighbouring homes and businesses, says Bob Hughes, executive director for ASK Wellness, which will run the facility.
"One of the things we've learned working on the North Shore in the last 10 years is that social justice can't be at the expense of others," said Hughes.
Staffed 24 hours a day
Hughes said staff will be on-site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, similar to what ASK Wellness has done at the Crossroads Inn, a supportive housing building downtown.
Though they won't be hiring a professional security company, Hughes is confident ASK Wellness staff can manage problems that may arise around the units.
Balancing challenging tenants
The difference between Crossroads Inn and the new housing units will be the number of people with "complex issues" living in the building. Up to 35 of the 50 people living at the downtown facility have major mental health and addiction issues, he said.
"That has put a tremendous amount of pressure on our staff, on the neighbourhood and around the building," Hughes said.
At this new site, Hughes said only 15 to 20 per cent of tenants will have such complex issues, making it easier for staff to manage.
"One of the biggest barriers to being able to address homelessness … is you can't just put somebody with complex health issues and behavioural issues into an apartment and expect them to get better," Hughes said. "It just doesn't happen this way."
In addition, a makeshift shelter could be created in the event of extreme cold weather.
"In a pinch, if we need to, there'll be a place where we can put mats on the floor and keep people from freezing to death," Hughes said.
With files from Doug Herbert
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