Administration provided an update on the search for a permanent shelter site at the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting leading to questions about why it’s taking so long.

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson explained that it has been challenging to find sites that fit the criteria, including the price tag, the distance from schools and whether it is in a compatible zoning area. He noted that the province is responsible for the capital and operational costs and the city is responsible for the search and getting the zoning changed if needed.

The search for a 60-bed permanent shelter began in October of 2023, and real estate prices have risen since then along with other costs. Jorgenson said, “Is the budget realistic? You can imagine those conversations with the province. We push at them. They push at us. I would say it’s a lean budget for sure.” He told the committee that if cost is the only challenge with any prospective site, there will be conversations with the province to figure out how to make it work.

The committee was told that there is optimism that one of two prospective sites being considered right now will be endorsed by both the Provincial and City Administrations in the next two months.

According to the Point in Time Homelessness Count, which was conducted last October, there were 1,500 people experiencing homelessness at the time, including 315 children and 175 youth. Housing Manager Sarah King said there are about 270 shelter beds in the city right now, but that is not an increase from previous years, even though the Pacific Avenue temporary shelter and the Idylwyld complex needs shelter have opened, because the Lighthouse was closed.