The city of Kelowna is preparing to open a site near the Rail Trail to create a temporary sanctuary for people with outdoor homelessness.
The location is near downtown on the south side of the Rail Trail, east of the intersection with Richter Street.
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The city said it will provide portable washrooms, litter bins, and sharps containers for throwing needles at the new location, replacing the current setup at 890 Baillie Ave.
It was also said that the area was being monitored by security guards and video surveillance.
“The site will be closer to the services, and landscape, tree and plant features will better separate it from the rail trail,” the city of Kelowna said in a press release.
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“Although the location is a temporary solution, permanent features and design elements of the location can be retained as landscape improvements along the rail route as soon as the temporary protective location is no longer needed,” added the city.
People are allowed to take shelter on the premises from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
“The daily removal of shelters will be done to balance the rights of people affected by homelessness with those of the wider community, to allow for the continued availability of urban land for public use and the associated risks for the public health, safety and protection avoid entrenched camps in place, as seen in other cities, “said the city.
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A 2015 British Columbia Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the city cannot ban outdoor accommodation when shelters are full.
“Since the fall of 2019, the city has decided to designate and maintain a public space in such a way that the rights and humanitarian needs of people seeking protection outside are reconciled with those of the neighboring community,” said Darren Caul, the city’s security director Kelowna.
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The city said that having a designated location would allow services such as meals, sanitation, garbage collection, and health and statute services to be concentrated in one area.
More than a dozen different locations were considered in the selection, according to a press release.
The city said the location near Richter was chosen largely because it is on urban land, close to services, and a suitable size.
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“While each location presents challenges, it will be an improvement on the existing location at 890 Baillie Avenue,” the city said.
The website is scheduled to open in early May.
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