Proposed daytime wellness shelter won’t be a permanent fixture in Chilliwack

“All we did was award the contract to Pacific Community Resources Society,” Westeringh said via text. “There is no location yet. PCR needs to find a location. And all it is going to be is a one-year solution, until we get the Rowat supportive housing complex built.”

The supportive housing complex and homeless shelter will be located on vacant land at 45825, 45835, 45845, and 45855 Rowat Avenue and 45865 Trethewey Avenue. The aim is to transfer over 90 homeless people into stable housing and alleviate the corresponding effects in the community. The five properties will be consolidated into one.

BC Housing has joined forces with the Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society to provide 49 supportive housing units and 42 shelter beds in a four-storey building; the building will have a common outdoor amenity area featuring a landscaped area, a sweat lodge, and rooftop deck.

The City of Chilliwack had been soliciting applicants from a request for proposals (RFP) for the establishment of a daytime wellness shelter.

The RFP period closed Friday, September 23; the RFP was first issued back in August inviting qualified proponents to submit documents to successfully operate a wellness shelter for a term commencing October 15 and ending April 15, 2023.

Councillor Chris Kloot said via text that he did not believe the wellness shelter would be opening up this weekend, like the RFP proposal stated.

The B.C. NDP government announced back on August 22 that it would provide over $600,000 in funding for a daytime wellness centre in Chilliwack to provide refuge for homeless people, as well as a separate Indigenous youth outreach project.

Chilliwack New Democrat MLA Dan Coulter said at the time that people who are unhoused will have more access to support services in Chilliwack as a result of provincial funding.

“People need community services now more than ever and this pilot project will be a great addition to Chilliwack,” Coulter said.

The City of Chilliwack is receiving $655,185 to respond to the impacts of homelessness through the Pilot Day Shelter, Training and Indigenous Supports project. This project will provide a new day-time wellness centre with wraparound supports where people can go to seek refuge and services, provide service provider training and focus on Indigenous youth outreach.

Of the funding allocation announced by the B.C. NDP government, $200,000 is going to an Indigenous youth outreach project, which is separate from the day shelter.

Jamie Leggatt, director of communications for the City of Chilliwack, previously confirmed that this provincial funding for a daytime wellness centre is the same one that was being advertised in the bids and tenders section of the City of Chilliwack website.

An addendum to the RFP indicated the successful proponent may be required to locate and secure an appropriately zoned site within the City of Chilliwack for the operation of the wellness shelter.

The project includes the provision of all labour and materials necessary to start up and operate a wellness shelter in accordance with the specifications contained in the RFP. Funding for this project is currently being provided by the following partners: Union of BC Municipalities, Fraser Health and Chilliwack Reaching Home, which will require quarterly detailed reports and financial reports.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Proposed daytime wellness shelter won’t be a permanent fixture in Chilliwack

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