A strategy continues to be developed to assist residents leaving a Vernon motel.
Social agencies met late last week to discuss the eviction of tenants of the Green Valley Motel in mid-August.
“They want to make sure tenants get connected to services,” said Annette Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council.
“Service providers need a sense of who’s who and what their needs are. We are trying to get information about who is getting evicted.”
There are 27 units and while about 15 units are currently occupied, the exact number of tenants is not known.
Most of the tenants are considered low-income. and they have limited resources for housing.
“There is little out there and for some, they come wit barriers — severe disabilities and other issues — and it’s difficult to find market housing,” said Sharkey.
“There will be more pressure on the Gateway Shelter and the John Howard Society.”
Sharkey is urging local residents to not only support the agencies rallying behind the tenants but to recognize the need for affordable housing in Vernon.
“This is a community issue,” she said.
