The Elliott Street Supportive Housing open house and City of Quesnel public hearing scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 13 have been cancelled.
The Quesnel Cariboo Observer was notified about the cancellation by the City of Quesnel communications team Tuesday afternoon.
The City has since stated that the cancellation was at the request of BC Housing, the proponent of the project.
In a press release, BC Housing stated it will be issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to invite qualified non-profit societies to submit proposals to operate the proposed facility.
“The public information session that was scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, at the Quesnel & District Seniors’ Centre has been postponed until the operator is selected,” the release said.
Earlier this month City Council sent a letter to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Selina Robinson expressing concern that there is “a lack of confidence” from the community in Quesnel Shelter and Support Society (QSSS), the proposed operator of the new supportive housing facility, which also runs Seasons House.
Simpson confirmed at a Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting on Dec. 12 that Minister Robinson had received the letter.
The letter requested Minister Robinson intervene and recommend BC Housing put out a request for proposal (RFP) for the new facility, to allow other organizations to bid to operate the housing project.
BC Housing’s Dec. 13 press release went on to say that the body is still working with Northern Health, the City of Quesnel, QSSS and community partners to review existing resources for those suffering from addiction issues in Quesnel.
“The committee is seeking a new location for the drop-in services currently provided at Seasons House,” said the statement.
It confirmed that no clinical services will be offered at the proposed Elliott Street facility.
BC Housing said the RFP will be available in early 2018.
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