MORE RECOVERY HOMES IN FUTURE?

Abbotsford could be in line for more support houses for recovering
drug addicts, should civic politicians lift a one-year moratorium
which has so far prevented new facilities from opening.

In June 2008, council ruled that no more supportive recovery houses
would be allowed to open their doors for at least 12 months.

That vote followed a decision to allow 11 recovery houses to continue
to operate legally. Another seven were turned down at that time.

Before that, there was no legislation to govern recovery houses in
Abbotsford. It meant that an estimated 30-plus recovery houses - or
homes masquerading as such - were being run without any rules.

By definition, a supportive recovery house is expected to provide
housing and services to recovering addicts, to help them reintegrate
into society after completing a treatment program.

Concerns were raised that many of the so-called recovery houses in
Abbotsford were not fulfilling that mandate, which resulted in the
city introducing its own regulations.

The 11 legal recovery houses are now subject to a housing agreement
with the city, and must also offer relevant services to tenants.

They are allowed to have up to 10 people, including staff, living
under one roof.

In the past year, bylaw crews have worked to shut down the facilities
that did not comply.

Staff say some of those operators have moved out of town, while
others have downsized their operations so they are not breaking
existing city bylaws (see related story A6).

Coun. John Smith, chairman of the Abbotsford Social Development
Advisory Committee, said even if the recovery house moratorium is
lifted, the public will not have to worry about the city approving "a
batch" of recovery houses, as it did a year ago.

Each application will be dealt with individually, said Smith, and
will be the subject of a public consultation process.

There will also be limitations on where a recovery house can open, he
said, pointing out new houses that are close to existing recovery
facilities, or schools and daycares, will not be allowed.

"It will be tougher for future houses to get approved," he said.

City staff have said there is interest from "new and existing
operators" to submit applications for new recovery houses.

They do not want to make that list public until council decides
whether to lift the moratorium.

There is no set date, although it is anticipated council will likely
address the topic this fall.