Councillors in Gibsons have voted to support turning the former RCMP detachment office on School Road into a site for transition and supportive housing.
The property at 739/749 School Road is still owned by the federal government, but could be available for one dollar under the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI).
Acting mayor Silas White brought the request for a letter of support to council at the March 20 meeting.
In a written report, White said the Town will be the main applicant to SFRPHI and, if approved, own the property, which it would then lease to BC Housing.
“The criteria for the SFRPHI program are a perfect match for this vision,” the report said. “Provincial funding is being identified for the submission to the SFRPHI program, and a local architect has already been engaged by BC Housing to initiate plans for the site.”
Habitat for Humanity had also expressed an interest in taking over the property and was hoping for council’s support, but during discussions late last year some councillors said they didn’t think a Habitat style project would be the best fit.
