Security, Health care and housing were the key points that came from a public input opportunity on homelessness and related issues.
The City of Terrace is looking to hir
e 3 more RCMP members. Each additional member would cost the taxpayer roughly $130,000 annually which is just shy of a 1% tax increase. The City also hired an additional bylaw compliance officer for the busy spring and summer seasons. The increased members would allow the RCMP to have more boots on the ground.
Council has also discussed with Northern Health the possibility of an overdose prevention site to be established in Terrace. An overdose prevention site would help reduce the number of discarded needles and keep people safer. A facility would have to be established by another agency not the city.
In housing it is not the City’s mandate or responsibility to build or apply housing, it falls to the province. The City of Terrace does have a role in encouraging housing and development in the city. They may not build houses but they have supported housing projects such as the Market Estates seniors housing, Tuck Avenue Seniors’ Housing project and the Rapid Response to Homelessness project.
The City is open to looking at how other jurisdictions respond to housing, homelessness, and addiction. You can find any updates on these matters on the City of Terrace website.
