A day after we heard about residents who live near the Super 8 Motel in West Kelowna petitioning against the use of motel rooms as temporary housing for the homeless, we are now hearing from some of the people who are depending on it.
The temporary housing at the motel is provided by Turning Points Collaborative Society, under the direction of BC Housing.
"We know from evidence in BC and internationally that communities are safer and healthier when people have housing and the supports they need," said a BC Housing statement send via email.
"As with all new supportive housing buildings, it takes some time for residents to settle into the building. It is our experience that after a few months, residents stabilize and public disturbances decrease dramatically."
Neighbours have complained about noise and lots of foot traffic late at night, and there are general fears and concerns about drug use that is permitted on site.
A few of the people who have been living in the spaces leased by BC Housing addressed the media to describe why the housing has done for their lives.
"We don't want to be stereotyped as being bad people to the community,", said Cody, who is living at the Super 8. "We just want to be here and be a part of the community."
"Here we're able to stop, pause, take a look at where we are," added Josh, who is also living in the motel, "and hopefully having people know who we are and show them that we're not what they think."
Josh Winquist from Turning Points gave no indication there were immediate plans to leave, but he said his organization is listening.
"We take these concerns seriously and are working tirelessly with community partners to address these issues," he said.
To hear the concerns of residents check out our story from Monday.
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