A rally was held in Duncan to keep the Ramada Inn open as a temporary shelter until permanent housing can be found for those in need.
According to the Cowichan Community Care Network, the displacement of 75 people from Lewis Street in November led to a record number of overdoses — 80 in a single day — and an increase in violence and health risks.
The group said closing the shelter without a solution in place would aggravate the situation and is urging municipal governments to act.
“There would only be a repeat of the harm caused on Nov. 17,” the network said. “You have an opportunity to do better, and while there are some aspects of the housing process happen at the provincial and federal levels, there are meaningful actions municipalities can take to work towards real safety.”
An open letter with more than 50 signatures said municipalities have already agreed the province is in a housing crisis and that everyone deserves a home.
“Housing is a human right, according to both the federal government and the Union of BC Municipalities, and we demand safe housing for everyone in the Cowichan Valley,” the letter said.
The letter calls for appropriate housing for 24 people currently at the temporary shelter, as well as additional camping and sheltering options with on-site washrooms, and an end to bylaw sweeps and forced displacement.
However, North Cowichan’s director of social planning and protective services, John Horn, said while it is possible to extend the shelter’s operation, several factors must be addressed.
“We’re in discussions with BC Housing to extend the facility until the end of April,” Horn said. “The Temporary Use Permit (TUP) with the City of Duncan would probably need to be extended, staffing would need to be retained for the site. BC Housing would then need to extend the agreement until Apr. 30.”
Horn said funding through BC Housing would also need to continue.
“The leasehold costs associated with renting the Ramada would need to be extended, and that would be up to the owner of the Ramada,” he said. “The dialogue for who would ‘flip that bill’ would have to be between BC Housing, the community and the regional function.”
He said in the interim, people seeking shelter should use the new facility on White Road in Duncan.
The rally was held March 15.
The shelter is set to close March 31.
