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There is no denying; winter is
here! Snow and colder weather is a cause for great concern for people
facing homelessness. Unaffordable rents and extremely limited rental
accommodations have prompted a number of caring community members to
join forces to find a “made in Revelstoke solution” to provide for those
less fortunate. Providing food and shelter during extreme weather
conditions is essential to meet the basic needs of all human beings.
Members have volunteered to continue the work of conducting more
research to ascertain how many people are either homeless or are facing
homelessness to better determine how best to assist those in need.
The ability to provide
this support will do little to address the much broader issue of
affordable housing, but in the meantime, we can rally together to ensure
that everyone has a roof over their head and food in their stomach.
In an effort to address
the larger issue of insufficient housing, the City is in the process of
establishing the Revelstoke Community Housing Society to develop a
variety of housing options to address the growing need for more
affordable rental and ownership housing stock. The City owns three
parcels of land that will be explored to determine which are most
suitable for affordable housing. The largest section of land is the
Co-op Lands, which at this time seems to be the most suitable and will
most likely be the location of the first affordable housing project.
Councillors Johnston,
MacFarlane and Richardson have been appointed as the Councillors to
serve on the Revelstoke Community Housing Society. Alan Mason will serve
as the senior staff member and five members of the community will also
be appointed in the near future. We are all looking forward to the day
when we have more housing options for all community members choosing to
make Revelstoke their home.
Another initiative
presently underway is the formation of a Social Action Council. For
several years, the social sector has expressed a need for the City to
provide support to the social sector. Budget discussions resulted in an
allocation of $100,000.00 to address social issues over the next three
years.
The formation of the
Social Action Council was a key recommendation in the recent Community
Development Action Plan. The Plan, which is the result of extensive
consultation, will provide direction on how to best address social
issues in the community. The Social Action Council will include
representation from across the social sector and will make
recommendations to City Council on social issues in the community.
Consultants Cindy Pearce
and Jane McNab are in the process of organizing a general meeting for
those involved in the social sector to discuss the collective vision for
the Social Action Council. Together we can plan for the social well
being of our community, rather than reacting or fearing what lies ahead.
On a lighter note, there
is excitement in the air as the world is looking to Revelstoke as the
place to live and play. The December 22nd grand opening of Revelstoke
Mountain Resort is causing quite a stir. The list of expected visitors
include representatives from ski magazines, travel editors, professional
photographers, tour operators from across Canada, New York, the UK, and
Germany. Hotels and motels are receiving bookings from all over the
world and are expecting a very busy winter.
The City of Revelstoke
will be showcased to the world and we have an opportunity to attract
tourism that was only dreamed of a few years ago.
As this is my last
opportunity to address the community prior to Christmas, I would like to
wish you and your families a happy and restful holiday season.
Submitted by
Councillor Richardson
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