Courtenay representative Larry Jangula was the lone director of the regional district board to oppose a recommendation to create a Comox Valley housing task force.
A local government would administer funds for the task force, which would carry forward ideas from the Housing and Homelessness Standing Committee.
"I'm concerned this goes on and on," Jangula said Wednesday, noting the Mayors' Task Force started when Starr Winchester was mayor of Courtenay.
Courtenay Coun. Ronna-Rae Leonard chairs the standing committee, which is intended to build on work undertaken by the Mayors' Task Force and the Comox Valley commission to end homelessness. It is scheduled to end June 30.
Questioning the definition of homeless, Jangula recalls a conversation he had with a gentleman known as 'Bob the Bum' who claimed only 11 homeless people lived in the Comox Valley.
"We spend more money, we get more money," Jangula said. "I'm frustrated this thing hasn't gone anywhere. It seems we spend money and go nowhere."
Comox representative Paul Ives, who served on the commission to end homelessness, is mindful of people dedicated to the homelessness cause. He notes the Mayors' Task Force identified truly homeless numbers.
He also notes successful homeless initiatives in other communities, such as the Capital Regional District's Coalition to End Homelessness.
"This kind of approach has worked," said Ives, who feels money is being spent wisely. "I believe the work will be productive."
The standing committee has identified 250 truly homeless people — 85 per cent from the Valley — and 3,100 people at risk of becoming homeless. The latter represents five per cent of the local population.
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The four local governments remain united in their support of property purchased on Cliffe Avenue for a proposed homeless shelter/supportive housing facility.
The CVRD expressed its disappointment in the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce's stance about the property location and the process by which it was purchased, perpetuating the "innuendo and misconceptions that unfortunately still remain in the minds of some, despite accurate information having been provided many times," as stated in a news release.
The chamber, while recognizing the need for a facility to house the homeless, is unable to support the proposal because it believes the public process and methodology of selecting the site "were compromised in the interest of expediency," it says in its own press release.
The district points out a regional function was created, advertisements called for property submissions, and submissions were evaluated against a budget and criteria for an optimal shelter location.
"The property was purchased, and the next step would be a development agreement with BC Housing, the CVRD and the City of Courtenay," the district states.
With that in place, BC Housing will request expressions of interest for a third party, non-profit agency to develop a conceptual plan and business case that would be eligible for provincial grant funding. This is the identical process for providing emergency, supportive and transition housing in B.C., and is the process needed to ensure the provision of shelter for those who are homeless.
"And equally as important, to have space to provide assistance and counseling to those who would benefit, and thereby break the cycle of homelessness for some entirely," the news release states.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com