DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY LOCATION BLASTED BY CHAMBER PRESIDENT

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce says the decision by Kelowna city
council to decide to locate a transitional housing facility downtown
increases the risk of negatively affecting the downtown at a time of
increased development.

In a letter to the city--the chamber's fourth letter on the issue in
the past three months--the chamber questions the decision to move
forward with the project downtown and calls for city council to be
firm in watching over the facility when it is operating.

"Despite concerns the city has opted to locate the facility in the
heart of the city...Kelowna's downtown," the letter reads. "Certainly
establishing a supportive housing facility in the downtown is one
option to address the homelessness issue, but at what cost?"

The letter from the chamber is signed by president Kevin Crookes and
goes on to lambaste the council for not being firm on several issues.

The chamber says there should be zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
on site, there should be 24 hour security at the building once the
program is up and running and calls for a bail out clause if all
requirements are not met.

"The supportive housing facility must cease operations if it does not
have a a positive impact on the area in which it is located," states
the letter.

After months of debate, the partnership between the city and Interior
Health Authority is moving forward to building a transitional
facility to help drug addicted people kick the habit.