MLA Rice hopeful of short term solution and longer term resolution to homeless shelter issues in Prince Rupert

A number of local stakeholders and  North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice
are working towards ensuring that Prince Rupert's homeless 
won't be left to the streets during a time of Pandemic

Two days ago we noted that MLA Rice had taken on the lead in the community in search of a solution towards the immediate needs of the homeless during this current COVID-19 emergency situation.

The North Coast MLA noting in a social media post that she had assembled some of the key partners in the community to look for ways to resolve a range of concerns.

On Wednesday afternoon we followed up on that Social media message, sending an email to the MLA's office to inquire as to an update on the planning, while also exploring some of the current themes related to the homeless in Prince Rupert.

In her reply through email, the MLA observed that the current situation had kicked up a level after the City of Prince Rupert sent their own correspondence to the Ministry of Housing advising of a demand for the immediate shut down of the Third Avenue facility.

"I received a phone call from the Minister of Housing on Monday informing me that the city of Prince Rupert had just sent a letter to the Province demanding the current shelter be shut down immediately. 

 We are striving to meet the immediate needs of this population during COVID-19 and are looking for a more permanent location longer-term. We are very close to having a solution formalized."

In addition to the surprising advisory that the City had demanded a shut down of the only homeless shelter in the city without it appears any form of a fall back plan in place, Ms. Rice recounted one option for a temporary solution during the COVID-19 emergency that was offered up by the North Coast Transition Society, which is among the local groups that offer supports for the homeless.

"I did receive a copy of the Transition Society’s letter to the city requesting the use of the civic centre to temporarily house the homeless in Prince Rupert during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The location meets all the needs of the population allowing for social distancing, good hygiene and a location for meal prep."

That suggestion it would appear has not as of yet seen much success, those notes and some of the other frustrations that the NCTS have found of late  were expanded on last night in an online story from the Northern View, which recounts many of the same themes that Ms. Rice shared.

In response to our inquiry as to whether the City's plan did not run counter to a recent announcement by the Government over the halting of evictions, Ms. Rice observed:

"The announcement by the Province halting evictions during this difficult period of time pertains to landlord-tenant relationships that fall under the Residential Tenancy Act. 

 I would agree that requiring the shelter to shut down immediately goes against the spirit of supporting each other especially during this trying time. These are our most vulnerable community members. 

 The shelter is currently non-compliant with regards to zoning and building code. Over the past few months the landlord and the service provider have made multiple attempts to bring it up to code but the city discouraged this work. My understanding is a temporary zoning application was applied for but not responded to. 

 In my discussions with the city of Prince Rupert, it is clear to me that they do not support a shelter in the current location. For the past few months we have been looking at various options to find a new permanent location but we haven’t settled on one yet. "

Since seeking to close down a shelter in the midst of a pandemic seemed like a curious decision for the city to make, we did attempt to seek some clarification, addressing an email to the City's communication director Veronika Stewart late Wednesday afternoon.

As we put this item to post, we have yet to receive a reply from the City, though if the timeline for response as outlined by the weekly paper is an indication, we still have four days, maybe more, to go before we may get a reply.

Should we receive one, we will update this item with an addendum to the bottom of this page.

For now, perhaps we'll just monitor the Mayor's Facebook page where many of the city announcements and public policy discussion seem to flow from these days.

The timing of City's letter to the BC Ministry of Housing as recounted by MLA Rice is also an interesting thing.

Coming as it seems following an announcement from Mayor Lee Brain, through his Social Media page, advising that the local elected officials would no longer be accepting inquiries related to a range of social issues in the community.

"Unfortunately any community issues moving forward regarding housing, childcare, homelessness, etc are to be sent to Jennifer Rice's office as her and her team are now in control. 

You can forward your concerns to Jennifer Rice by calling 250-624-7734 or e-mailing jennifer.rice.mla@leg.bc.ca."

Now  you might think, that the idea of shutting a homeless shelter during these challenging times, not to mention the City's decision to deflect many concerns from local residents over to the MLA's office might make for some "city business".

They are after all, serious issues that surely that could make for some important discussions in a public forum such as, oh say a City Council Session.

But, as we recounted earlier this week, Prince Rupert City Council has cancelled their scheduled Regular Council Session for this Monday, that owing to "a lack of business" ...

Though one wonders if not talking about the challenges in the community with the residents of the city, is the best way to try to effect change to a very concerning situation.

In her correspondence yesterday, Ms. Rice noted that the BC government and local stake holders are working towards a solution.

"Our government is working with BC housing and the service provider to temporarily shelter people during the COVID-19 outbreak as well as find a new permanent location to situate the shelter."

It's more than a little unfortunate that the elected representation at the local level don't seem inclined to be part of that solution or to even participate in a public discussion on it.

Even more puzzling is that many of them remain silent on the growing list of items that now only get discussed through the Social media feed of the mayor and those who follow that page.

More background on housing in the community can be reviewed here, while our notes on City Council can be examined here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.