The Lamplighter Motel in Kamloops.

The Province, through BC Housing, has purchased the Lamplighter Motel in Valleyview to ensure people at risk of homelessness continue to have a place to live. The province had been leasing the property since October, 2021.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon was on the NL Morning News. He says the change in ownership should provide comfort to those living there.

“There is a big difference knowing that this is now a home. So that is the certainty that comes with us going in and taking that. We were grateful to be able to lease it during the challenging time of the pandemic and for us to know that these units will be permanent, give people the stability they need to get the skill sets and the supports they need to be able to find other types of housing so we can then get other people the supports they need.”

Ask Wellness has been operating the one-story, 31-unit building on an interim basis. Kahlon says the search is underway for a permanent operator to provide 24-7 supports including meal programs, life-skills training, and health and wellness services.

“We have leased out this motel as a kind of temporary shelter for folks and we know that temporary is not good enough. So we have actually purchased the motel now. These 31 units will be permanent housing for folks and it will be 24 hour supports.”

Located at 1901 Trans-Canada Hwy. E., the one-storey building has 31 units, each with its own washroom. The building also has a reception area and an additional two-bedroom manager’s suite.

The purchase is part of the Province’s permanent housing plan. Budget 2022 commits $264 million over three years to ensure approximately 3,000 people who were temporarily housed during the COVID-19 pandemic do not return to homelessness.