Photo: Contributed

The site of a proposed contentious BC Housing supportive housing project on Skaha Lake Road.

Penticton city council had a meeting with the province's top housing minister Tuesday, expressing concerns over a fourth BC Housing supportive housing project proposed in the community.

Public opposition to the 54-unit, four-storey tower at 3240 Skaha Lake Road, which BC Housing purchased late last year, was the focus of the discussion.

Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing David Eby, along with staff, was in attendance at the Zoom meeting, as was local MLA Dan Ashton, and Penticton's mayor and council.

The meeting — which was not open to public or media — had been requested by Eby's office in response to a letter sent by Mayor John Vassilaki on Jan. 13 expressing concerns that local residents and businesses have about existing supportive housing in town, like Burdock House on Winnipeg Street, Compass House on Main Street and Fairhaven on Skaha Lake Road.

During the meeting, according to a City of Penticton press release, members of council highlighted "growing concerns" being heard from residents and businesses about the project and requested a community-wide engagement process, as well as a pause on the project until an assessment of existing supportive housing can be conducted.

Council also requested that BC Housing consider using the housing project to fill the needs of seniors and lower-income working families, and let Eby know that they are intending to request an independent audit of current BC Housing facilities in the city.

“We remain a long way from concluding discussions on this proposed project, but overall I was very pleased with the reception council received from Minister Eby who, at the conclusion of our meeting, indicated he would like to meet with council again next week to further discuss our community’s concerns and provide additional information about the project,” said Vassilaki.

“Council was also told that additional community engagement opportunities will be organized, so I encourage all residents to sign up for these events as soon as the dates are made available.”