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Remaining homelessness grant money finds a home

The regional district board approved a request from Comox Director Tom Grant to commit remaining homelessness grant funding from the Vancouver Island Health Authority to the Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society.

The money — $15,654 — will help the society continue a scattered housing program through the winter months.

The CVRD has an agreement with Dawn to Dawn to deliver the program that houses marginalized individuals in rental units. However, the agreement ends in November and funding is running dry.

Earlier in the year, previous funding of about $174,000 helped the organization exceed its goal of housing 18 clients over a two-year period.

“I think the scattered housing concept is very effective,” Courtenay director Manno Theos said at Tuesday’s meeting.

TFP goals get approval

The board was unanimous in its approval of Transit Future Plan goals such as attracting new riders and aligning the region’s transit system with town centres. Opinion, however, was divided when it came to the question of funding short-term service priorities identified as highest ridership and revenue per service hour. In a 7-3 vote, the board approved a $270,000 net cost to the CVRD.

Courtenay director Starr Winchester feels the additional money is not going to increase bus ridership in the Valley.

Courtenay Directors Bill Anglin and Manno Theos also opposed the additional cost share with BC Transit.

The 25-year Future Plan identifies key corridors and considers other factors such as the physical benefits of walking to and from a bus stop.

Letter to Ministry

The district will send a letter to the Ministry of Energy and Mines outlining its terms and conditions concerning two licences issued to Hillsborough Resources for exploratory coal drilling in the Woodhus Creek/Oyster River area.

The letter will note that the river supplies drinking water to about 3,800 people.

To see a copy of the letter, go to Record website at www.comoxvalleyrecord.com and look for “Letter from CVRD to Senior Inspector of Mines, Permitting and Health and Safety” in the business section.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com