The B.C. government is taking steps to improve safety in supportive housing by launching a new working group and addressing rising concerns over second-hand fentanyl smoke and criminal activity in housing facilities.
The group will include housing providers, police, union representatives, and staff from BC Housing and the province. They’ll explore whether supportive housing should be removed from the Residential Tenancy Act to give providers more authority to manage tenants and guests who pose safety risks. Input from First Nations and tenant advocates will also be part of the process.
As fentanyl smoking becomes more common, air-quality testing in 14 supportive housing buildings in Vancouver and Victoria has found elevated levels of airborne fentanyl in some areas. In response, the province is working with WorkSafeBC and the BC Centre for Disease Control to develop safety standards and mitigation strategies.
Housing providers say they need better tools to deal with weapons, drug trafficking, and dangerous behaviour that put residents and staff at risk. The working group aims to deliver short- and long-term solutions to improve conditions in supportive housing and ensure it remains a safe and effective model to address homelessness in B.C.
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