The District of Squamish says planning for the supportive housing project proposed at 39900 Government Road is ongoing, and community concerns about neighbourhood impacts are being reviewed.
In an email sent September 26 to resident Mallory Hewlko, District General Manager of Public Safety Pascale St-Louis said the District is working with BC Housing and Squamish Helping Hands has published a report summarizing public feedback from engagement sessions held June 23 and 25, along with subsequent correspondence.
She said detailed planning meetings will continue in the coming months, and information will be shared on the project’s provincial page.
St-Louis noted that the project will differ from Under One Roof downtown, emphasizing that the Government Road building will not offer drop-in services and will be accessible only to rent-paying residents.
“The facility would be a secured building accessible to rent-paying residents only,” she wrote, with on-site supports such as life-skills training, primary health care connections, and employment programs. The District said lessons from Under One Roof will inform the new building’s design and operations, and neighbourhood impacts such as noise, safety, and emergency calls are expected to be lower.
St-Louis said community safety partners already meet regularly with Squamish Helping Hands and that this approach will continue through operations.
Hewlko, who has asked the same questions since July, requested clarity on accountability, public reporting metrics, emergency response expectations, and how residents can escalate concerns. “It cannot fall to individual neighbours to manage noise, safety, parking, or emergency service impacts on their own,” she wrote.
St-Louis said accountability will be shared between BC Housing, the District, and Squamish Helping Hands, and discussions about specific performance metrics and reporting are ongoing. “We remain committed to achieving success for the benefits it will bring to Squamish,” she said.
Project updates are available at letstalkhousingbc.ca/squamish-government-road.
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