CAVERS – Homelessness needs to be a priority in our community

Posted on October 12, 2016 in Columns, Harrison // 1 Comment

A guest editorial from Coun. Donovan Cavers today in CHNL news director Jim Harrison’s spot.

THIS WEEK is homelessness action week.

Coun. Donovan Cavers.

Most of us are currently recovering from a weekend stuffing our faces with turkey and mashed potatoes. The season is begining to shift. A crispness is starting to greet us as we leave home each morning. Though it’s 2016, and though we live in one of the most affluent nations on earth, sadly there are still members of our community who do not have access to proper housing.

In 2012, the Kamloops Affordable Housing Needs Assessment clearly identified our community’s housing debt. According to the assessment, our community was short 2,220 units. Some moderate progress has been made since then, but partnership from provincial and federal governments has been lacking.

Numerous properties in Kamloops are zoned for affordable housing, and the lands have been made available at essentially no cost. Up to $150,000 is available through the city’s affordable housing reserve fund for new housing projects.

The fund has been growing in part through profits from units sold from housing projects previously supported by the fund. It now sits at over $1 million.

Another local project that has had significant success in reducing homelessness in our community is the Kamloops Rent Bank. It assists renters who face imminent eviction with one time low interest loans. The Rent Bank gives them a second chance to regain their footing. The repayment rate has been quite good at 85 per cent, with repayment funds recycled into the program.

Homelessness Action Week culminates in a large event: Project Connect in Spirit Square, Thursday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. I hope to see you there. A lot of work by all levels of government remains to be done to help the many disadvantaged members of our community. It all comes down to making it a priority.

My name is Donovan Cavers, and I’m proud to serve you on Kamloops City Council.

Listen to Jim Harrison’s editorials weekdays on Radio NL, and to the Jim Harrison Show at 9:08 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at jharrison@radionl.com.