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Relief in sight for Kitimat’s vulnerable

Tenants will start moving into Douglas Place over the next couple of weeks.
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Completion of renovations at the former City Centre Motel in Kitimat will provide relief for applicants who have had their names on the provincial housing registry.

B.C. Housing senior spokesperson Jenny Lee-Leugner said tenants will start moving into the renamed Douglas Place over the next couple of weeks.

“With major renovations complete and only a few minor issues like the installation of cabling still to be sorted out, the building is fit for occupation,” said Lee-Leugner.

B.C. Housing bought the motel in December 2015, and in May 2016 the District of Kitimat council gave the approval for the motel to be rezoned for multi-family residential housing, despite concerns submitted to council by nearby business owners.

The five-month renovations of the 22 units began in November 2016, during which time the building was vacant.

“The building required major renovations to convert it from a motel to individual suites, and to address deficiencies, including electrical upgrades, replacing flooring and installing smoke alarms and fire detectors,” said Lee-Leugner.

She said B.C. Housing spent over $400,000 renovating the building, in addition to the purchase price, which real estate group Macdonald Commercial at the time had listed as $2,950,000.

Of the 22 units, one unit will be used to accommodate an on-site supervisor, while two units will be used for extreme weather shelter rooms with a total of four beds available in the winter, and four will be used by Tamitik Status of Women specifically as women-only transition units.

The on-site supervisor, contracted by B.C. Housing, will have a number of tasks, including managing tenants moving in and out, overseeing tenant relations and delivering notices to residents.

The remaining 15 units will be for homeless and at-risk of homelessness, seniors, low-to-moderate income households and the low income market.

“A lot of people think the housing registry is a waiting list, but it’s really to provide housing for people who need it most urgently,” added Lee-Leugner.

She said if there are sufficient rooms and beds to accommodate applicants, they will be offered units at Douglas Place, or they can wait for more suitable units elsewhere.

She said there are currently 21 applicant households on the registry who are eligible for units at Douglas Place.

“It’s important to note that while people are on the housing registry waiting for accommodation, they are still eligible for assistance through the Rental Assistance Program and Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER),” said Lee-Leugner.

Apart from Douglas Place, there aren’t currently any other projects by B.C. Housing to provide further housing assistance.

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