Photo: Contributed
Same press release, different date.
That basically sums up what the Downtown Kelowna Association issued on Friday morning, sending out another press release expressing disappointment over the decision by the city and province to keep the Cornerstone Shelter open indefinitely.
It is the third extension the 80-bed shelter has received from the province and the city in the last 14 months.
“The DKA is again disappointed with BC Housing’s announcement that Cornerstone will remain operational on Leon Avenue,” the press release read. “The DKA continues to believe that a large, low-barrier homeless shelter like Cornerstone should not be located in the core of Kelowna’s downtown, in close proximity to numerous other social services on Leon Avenue.
“This concentration of social services has contributed to numerous difficulties for the DKA’s member businesses over the past 18 months, including an increase in illicit drug activity and vandalism of downtown property.”
The DKA does what it can to curb the problems that come with the Cornerstone shelter, providing funding for the “Downtown on Call” and “Clean” teams that patrol the streets. It is also hopeful that a planned increased police presence this summer will help businesses.
The DKA said it supports the work being done by the stakeholders and will continue to work with the city, province and Journey Home Society to find long-term solutions for the homeless situation outside of the downtown core.
All Biz Releases Stories
