The day after PentictonBritish Columbia's city council voted against creating a tiny home community for homeless people, a decision that didn't sit well with many, including homeless advocates.
“They don't care if people are dying on the streets, and to me that's disgusting,” said Desiree Surowski, executive director of the Penticton Overdose Prevention Society.
The society operates a winter shelter on Dawson Avenue and hopes to tiny houses would add more support for those experiencing homelessness.
“I have a responsibility … to go and tell the people who have struggled to stabilize in a system that is not designed to stabilize, and tell them that our city council does not believe that they are worthy of anything more, that they are not worthy of being given the opportunity to improve their well-being,” Surowski told Global News.
Despite the city of South Okanagan's growing homelessness problem, council voted 4-2 against the project and the millions of provincial dollars that would go into it.
“I'm not voting against helping people, let me make that clear,” said an emotional Jason Reinen, one of four council members who voted against issuing a temporary use permit that would move the project forward. “This is a vote for the right kind of help.”
Calling the decision a very difficult one, Reinen said it was about increasing desperately needed treatment supplies, not increasing the number of wet rooms.
“We have wet dwellings and a lot of these people have been there and stuck for quite some time,” Reynen said. “So I think the next step is to get them into detox.”
The pros and cons of the low-barrier system were debated for more than an hour before the failed vote, with councilors opposed to it calling the province's approach too rigid and authoritarian.
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“We are a community. I'm not a parent telling my child this is what's best for you, accept it,” said Councilman Campbell Watt, who also voted against it. “I'm a council member representing the community and I'm hearing a lot of opposition and a lot of support, which to me means there hasn't been enough engagement.”
Councilwoman Shannon Stewart also voted against the temporary use permit.
“In addition to the communities that are saying yes to this model, there are several other communities in the province that are saying no, and I think that’s important too,” she said.
There has also been criticism of the added pressure from local authorities losing funding because they abandon a model they feel is not right for the community.
“There is so much pressure being felt because of the leverage of the province and I don't feel good about it,” Watt added.
Some councilors questioned why the province couldn't be more flexible and approve projects that don't necessarily fit into its strict model, using the “dry” and “wet” options as an example.
“Every city is unique and it can’t be one size fits all,” Reynen said.
But the minister responsible said she has seen positive results in other communities in British Columbia and expressed disappointment that Penticton voted against it.
“There is a clear and significant need for more housing options and support services, and this is a barrier to meeting that need,” said Christine Boyle, B.C.'s Housing Minister.
“This model is working in many other communities, and we are seeing it make a difference.”
Tuesday's vote means the millions of dollars the province has committed to Penticton's tiny homes are now no longer guaranteed because the funding could be redirected to another community.
“I'm always open to a conversation, but Penticton has not shown that they are seriously interested in this tangible, funded solution,” Boyle said.
“We will now take the next steps towards collaboration with other communities.”
As for council's next steps, Reynen said he hopes they include advocating across the province for a solution more tailored to Penticton.
“I hope the province listens,” Reinen said. “I hope the province will work with us in the future so we can find a solution that works for Penticton.”
Mayor Julius Bloomfield and Councilman Isaac Gilbert were two in favor of moving forward with the tiny home community.
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