'Compass Court' opens

Photo: Colin Dacre

Residents started moving this week into the first 16 units of supportive housing at the old Super 8 Motel on Main Street.

Dubbed “Compass Court,” the project has faced significant delays since being approved by city council back in August 2017. BC Housing spent $4M to purchase the site and is spending another $4.5M to convert it into housing for the homeless or at-risk.

The site is being managed by the Penticton and District Society for Community Living and will provide staff on-site 24/7 for support services such as daily meals, wellness checks, employment skills and access to mental health and substance-use programming.

All units are self-contained and include a private bathroom, kitchenette and bed. Residents will pay $375 a month, the shelter rate of income assistance.

"The combination of support services, homes and shelter spaces mean this project will help break the cycle of homelessness for people in need of stable and secure housing," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "This will create positive impacts in Penticton that extend to neighbours, first responders and the business community.”

In addition to the supportive housing managed by PDSCL, the Salvation Army will move its shelter from the downtown to the complex in mid-June.

"We've been proudly serving the residents of Penticton for more than 25 years. Compass House has offered needed and crucial shelter to those with nowhere else to go,” said major Tim Leslie of the Salvation Army. “The new location at Compass Court will provide the same important services, offering safe shelter to those who need it most."

Mayor John Vassilaki said the city is “pleased” to see the first phase of the project up and running.

Work meanwhile continues on another 26 units of supportive housing that will be added to the site later this year.