Although BC Housing couldn’t attend Monday’s council meeting, there was still some clarification regarding their Grand Forks 2nd Street Project. A presentation last month for a Development Variance Permit Application to reduce parking requirements raised concerns when the project being described didn’t match expectations.
BC Housing was absent Monday due to travel-troubles, but Councillor Christine Thompson says they received some details by phone:
“The supportive housing is intended to be 34 1-bedroom units. It will accommodate both the handicapped, and the challenged with mobility issues, some seniors that don’t have vehicles or easy access to the downtown core. It will also accommodate people who have addictions with alcohol and or drugs but they will all be vetted. There is going to be staff 24/7, they will provide meals for residents only so it’s not going to be a soup kitchen, and it will not be accessible to the public.”
Thompson adds that BC Housing wants to award a contract by the end of the month, and wants construction to begin within 6 weeks. The current project would only require parking spaces for staff, and their goal is to develop the project in partnership with the community.