City of Cranbrook council Sept. 11 approved the release of a letter to Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka to request advocacy toward the BC Government and BC Housing for urgent, low-income senior housing in Cranbrook.

“Like most cities in BC, there is a housing crisis in Cranbrook. Early in the role of Social Development Coordinator, gaps in the housing continuum in our city were easily identified. Cranbrook has a significant shortage of housing options, along the housing continuum, including emergency shelters, supported housing, subsidized housing, affordable housing, and senior housing,” outlines a report to council ‘Request to Minister of Housing – Urgent Senior Housing in Cranbrook.’

“Currently Cranbrook has one temporary shelter site, the Travel Lodge. By nature, temporary shelters are meant to be an entry point into the housing continuum and thus are low barrier, fully supported, and meant to be short-term. Unfortunately, due to many factors including the pandemic, increased need, and lack of alternative housing options, this temporary shelter site has become permanent housing for more than 50 individuals,” stated the report by Marcel Germer of Corporate Services.

As of June 27, there were 24 seniors living in the Cranbrook Temporary Shelter. This is approximately 40% of the total residents of the shelter.

“A letter from city council requesting MLA Shypitka to advocate on behalf of the City of Cranbrook for an immediate response from the provincial government and BC Housing for additional low-income senior housing in Cranbrook to fill this identified serious housing gap would go a long way in helping this city meet the needs of its citizens.”

Lead image: Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services attend a fire at the Travel Lodge in September 2021. e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

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