While the Town of Comox will not be participating in the upcoming CVRD regional service vote to address homelessness in the Valley, a $30,000 commitment will be used for the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness Plan, said CVCEH member Heather Ney.
In her letter to council, Ney said while the coalition is disappointed the town will not be participating in the vote, they commend them on their commitment to contribute annually through a contractual relationship.
Comox chose not to participate in the referendum, as the town has established a fund (currently $30,000/year) which comes from general revenue) for the function of addressing homelessness.
With the commitment, the CVCEH has updated the plan to reflect the town’s contribution.
In its action plan, the CVCEH has distributed the town’s funds in Year 1 (2016-2017) towards the goal to create four units of modular housing on available land at a cost of $140,000.
Seventy-thousand dollars would come from the CVRD homeless tax, $30,000 from the Town of Comox and $40,000 from the Comox Valley Recovery Centre.
Coun. Barbara Price inquired if the money allocated for the plan could be spent outside the town.
Don Jacquest, director of finance for the town, said only funds coming from capitol reserve have to be used within town boundaries.
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In her report to council, Coun. Maureen Swift noted the Canex recycling depot located at 1625 Military Row - which was slated to close - will remain open for the time being. She added a secondary recycling location at the Courtenay Country Market at 5352 North Island Highway will also remain open.