Housing project 1 year late

Photo: Colin Dacre

Penticton's homeless are still waiting one year after the scheduled completion of a BC Housing project to convert the old Super 8 Motel into shelter beds and transitional housing. 

The Compass Court project, which will provide up to 40 supportive housing units and up to 24 beds, was approved by city council back in August 2017. Since then, its opening was pushed back multiple times, although it operated as a shelter this winter. 

A statement from BC Housing cites "unforeseen building conditions," including conditions "ranging from minor mold issues to extensive rot, coupled with layers of historic renovations built below acceptable standards."

They say the first of the three-building complex, with up to 24 shelter beds and 18 housing units, is now scheduled to open in spring 2019, with no specific date. The other two buildings, with additional housing units, will be completed "later this year."

Despite delays, BC Housing says they are on budget for the up to $4 million in renovation costs that were approved by the provincial government on top of the $4.5 million purchase price. 

At the time the project was announced, BC Housing said they had 300 local people on a waitlist for the kind of supportive housing the project will provide. 

The Penticton and District Society for Community Living will operate the housing project when it opens, while the Salvation Army is responsible for the shelter.