BC Housing updated Williams Lake city council on three housing projects in the community at the regular council meeting at city hall on Sept. 10.
Tyler Baker of BC Housing provided the briefing for council on the 98 First Avenue shelter, the Jubilee Place redevelopment at 845 Carson Drive, and the Glen Arbour construction at 564 Oliver Street.
The development of a low-barrier shelter at 98 First Avenue, previously known as the Elks Hall, will not be done before winter as hoped, said Baker.
He said the design team is close to issuing construction drawings and despite setbacks, good progress is being made.
Baker reported BC Housing has been working with city staff on permits and expect one to be issued in the coming days, with a demolition permit already in place as they worked to remediate damage done due to flooding in the spring. After the flooding, hazardous materials then needed to be removed.
BC Housing expects construction to begin in October and be completed by February of next year.
"We were a little bit more delayed than we expected," he said.
This will mean the Hamilton Hotel emergency shelter, which was established temporarily in 2020, will continue to function as the only low-barrier shelter for the community at least until the new building is completed. A low-barrier shelter provides beds for anyone in need, whether the person uses substances or has a pet with them.
Jubilee Place redevelopment is also coming along, to replace the existing 30-unit facility with some supports. Baker said some preliminary concept drawings are being worked on, as the team look at the servicing capacity of the property and other factors like archaeological and geotechnical constraints of the site.
He said they are planning a more supportive housing option than what the existing facility provides. Currently, residents have access to shared cooking facilities and are generally independent.
Meals would be provided daily and more on-site staff would help support residents with things like cleaning and laundry in the concept for the new build.
BC Housing will have to determine where current residents would go or whether the new facility would provide some accommodations for these more independent clients.
Baker said Glen Arbour construction is going "full speed ahead" and should be able to continue through winter.
They expect construction to be completed in late 2025.
The project has undergone some ups and downs but Baker said the obstacles were nothing insurmountable.
"It's all well within the capabilities of the great team we have on site there," he said.
The First Avenue low-barrier shelter will have a 40-bed capacity.
Glen Arbour will add 36 units of seniors housing.
The Jubilee redevelopment facility capacity has not yet been determined as they complete a plan. Baker said it would definitely house more than the current 30-unit facility.
Gary Muraca, CAO for the city asked if the delays to the completion of the First Avenue low-barrier shelter will mean the capacity of the Hamilton will increase to deal with increased demand as cold weather sets in.
Baker said they will need to balance the safety risk posed by the layout of the current Hamilton shelter and trying to accommodate the need for more shelter beds.
