Photo: File photo

Jeff Fisher is asking people to band together and petition the province to provide more funding for social housing in Vernon.

Last year, the province provided the city with $11 million to build a new temporary shelter as well as an apartment complex with 52 units.

Kelly Fehr, Turning Point co-executive director which will manage the shelter and apartment block, said the apartment complex will have two staff members working 24 hours a day.

“It will go a long way in helping people that aren't housed or are marginally housed," said Fehr. "The outcome that we're striving for is to help people maintain housing for a minimum of two years. That's not to say they will be asked to leave after two years, but right now that is the outcome measurement we are aiming to strive for."

Fehr said the apartment is being built on a double lot, and Fisher wants the government to fund a second apartment building on the same site.

“We could double the capacity. If they got two structures on the same property, there is a significant portion of administration and management costs that become redundant.”

Fisher has drafted a letter with information on what is being asked for that he will email to people who request one.

“They can personalize it as they see fit, or just forward it and send it off,” he said, adding the letter includes the emails of government officials pertinent to the request.

“It takes just as much time as it takes to click 'Like' on Facebook and just as much effort, but it actually does something. Liking a post about social housing doesn't accomplish anything about getting more social housing, but forwarding the letter does.”

Fisher said people can contact him via Facebook or email and he will send them a copy of the letter.