The Fortune Motel was purchased by B.C. Housing and will welcome tenants later this year.
Image Credit: Google Maps/B.C. Housing
June 11, 2021 - 8:00 PM
The Fortune Motel in Kamloops will soon be turned into a supportive housing facility after it was purchased by the province.
B.C. Housing has taken over the motel at 654 Fortune Drive, which is across from McDonald's. It was purchased for $3.6 million with the provincial Supportive Housing Fund and is scheduled to undergo renovations before tenants move in this fall, according to a news release from the Ministry of Attorney General.
There will be 40 rooms, with staff available 24/7, daily meals and skills training. Each tenant will have referrals to mental health and addiction treatment available to them.
An operator has not been chosen yet, but many current supportive housing facilities in Kamloops are operated by Ask Wellness and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
CMHA Kamloops would strongly consider applying for the new facility, acting director Alfred Achoba said.
"I think we'd be able to give our community more support. It would give us more resources as far as housing stock," he said. "And we have a proven track record."
All residents will pay rent and sign a program agreement.
According to the release, B.C. Housing will apply to rezone the property to allow for larger renovations to the site. The expansion would allow for more permanent housing at the Fortune Motel.
More information can be found on the B.C. Housing website here.
Their community engagement forum is open for questions and will reopen when B.C. Housing applies for rezoning later this year.
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