Two North Kamloops retailers aren’t happy about plans by B.C Housing to locate a temporary affordable housing project next to their businesses.
The General Manager of Totem City Motors was told by among others including the North Shore Business Improvement Association that the NDP Government will cite transitional housing at 185 Royal Avenue, the former site of JUMP, the volunteer group which helps the homeless.
Ryan Borowsky, whose business is right next door, says customers don’t want to enter his car lot due to the number of drug users.
“Our experience before was very, very brutal, because we’d have a young girl getting her first car, and they’d be scared to come here. People would be flailing their arms, and being obnoxious on the street. There is no law to it, you know, the cops weren’t doing anything.”
Renato Uliano, who owns Sorriso’s Deli and Bruno’s Beer and Wine Store, was told there could be up to 40 transitional beds until next May.
“I don’t want anybody loitering in front of our businesses. Because after, well it’s been bad now for ten years, we’ve had enough on the North Shore. But I’m in favour of this. We’ve got to start somewhere, and hopefully this is the start of the beginning to fix this major problem.”
The announcement from the B.C NDP Government is expected tomorrow.