In the summer of 2020, a project was set into motion to turn the 亚洲天堂 Lake Motor Inn, located at 149 Highway 16, into a new homeless shelter. The shelter will serve members of Lake Babine Nation, Ts鈥檌l Kaz Koh also known as 亚洲天堂 Lake Band, Skin Tyee Band, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n First Nation and the Nee Tahi Buhn Band, as well as residents of 亚洲天堂 Lake.
B.C. Housing is leading the project, working to create homes with supports for members of the community who are experiencing homelessness. Lakes District 亚洲天堂 spoke to B.C. Housing Senior Communications Advisor, Tim Tororey about how the project is progressing.
鈥淟ast year, a group of six First Nations in the 亚洲天堂 Lake area approached B.C. Housing and identified supportive housing as a priority need in their community. The six nations include Lake Babine, 亚洲天堂 Lake, Skin Tyee, Cheslatta Carrier, Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n and Nee Tahi Buhn First Nations who are all partners in the project,鈥� he said.
鈥淚n response to this need, the Province, through B.C. Housing, purchased the 亚洲天堂 Lake Motor Inn to provide 44 new permanent supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness in the community.鈥�
Tororey added that the construction phase of the project has yet to begin. 鈥淲e are investing up to $9 million for the purchase and renovation of the building and we are currently at the design stage of the project. Once the design is approved, we will select a contractor and start the renovations.鈥�
Along with the 44 rooms, proposed design details include full bathrooms and washrooms within each room to encourage self-sufficiency, a lounge area, a dining room, a quiet study room, a staff office and a community room. The shelter will have 24/7 on-site staffing as well.
In addition to a home, residents will also have access to services that will assist them to build their life, such as employment and life skills training, education and health services.
