Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo

The province's Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister came under fire over a decision by BC Housing to keep the Leon Avenue Cornerstone shelter open indefinitely.

Local media grilled the minister during a rental housing announcement in Kelowna Friday over the decision, which has been panned by the Downtown Kelowna Association, Chamber of Commerce and downtown businesses.

Selina Robinson reaffirmed the decision put forth by the province and the City of Kelowna a week ago to keep the shelter open, despite objections from area businesses.

She didn't add much to the original press release which stated Cornerstone would remain open indefinitely until a new location can be found, or until people are housed.

"It's what happens when you neglect housing for as long as it's been neglected," she said.

"We are working as quickly and as diligently as we can to make sure we have the kind of housing and the kind of supports people need for the long term."

The province is spending $2.4 million a year to keep Cornerstone open.

While the facility has a capacity for 80 people, Dawn Himer, executive director of the John Howard Society which runs the shelter, recently told Castanet as clients are relocated to other housing, their beds are not being filled.

As housing comes on stream, Robinson says potential residents are assessed before relocating.

"I am very confident those people will be first in line to be assessed and to make a determination about moving them into the kind of housing I think we all want."

Mayor Colin Basran said he agrees with the decision to keep Cornerstone open.

"Keeping Cornerstone open is a lot better than telling 65 people to be out on the streets and having no place for them to go," said Basran.

"While I appreciate the chamber is upset with the decision, it would be a lot worse for the downtown business owners and the chamber members if we were to just close it and put a lot more people out onto the streets."