Campbell River City Council Amends Overnight Temporary Shelter Bylaw

Campbell River City Council is making bylaw amendments with respect to overnight temporary shelter, setting out where overnight camping by people experiencing homelessness can occur.

The current location on Homewood Road, adjacent to Nunn’s Creek Park, will no longer be available as a location once the 40-unit Homewood rapid housing initiative opens.

Council reviewed over a dozen potential City-owned land options but very few were deemed suitable due to a number of factors, including proximity to businesses and residents, along with safety risks and accessibility concerns for the occupants.

Council has supported two sites in the amendment bylaw:

• a designated year-round site at 900 Alder Street, City Hall, in the parking lot adjacent to the Enterprise Centre building
• a seasonal site that would be available November 1st to March 31st at 945 Island Highway, in a small portion of Robert Ostler Park

As part of the plan, bylaw officers, contract security and RCMP will monitor each site daily and will enforce specific allowable times for the shelters; from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., only.

Council also supported one-time funding of $100,000, from the Financial Stabilization Reserve, to put in place key measures at the approved locations, such as proper fencing, dumpsters, portable toilets, and security patrol.

If the bylaw is adopted, Council will monitor the locations and adapt the City’s response as needed while continuing to explore alternatives. Council has written to the Province asking that provincially regulated land be made available for temporary overnight camping and that additional shelter resources be made available to allow for expansion of the winter shelter program to reduce the demand for temporary overnight shelter.

Provincial case law requires that local governments designate a location for overnight shelter that is adequate and close to services and supports.

To watch the August 22, 2024, City Council meeting, visit City of Campbell River.