B.C. buys Courtenay motel for supportive housing

The B.C. government has purchased a motel in Courtenay to use as supportive housing, as the province's lease on another motel in the city expires.
People currently staying at the Travelodge motel in Courtenay will be moving into the Super 8 motel next month, since the province's lease at the Travelodge is expiring on June 30.
The province first started leasing the Travelodge in spring 2020 to give homeless people in the area a place to stay and self-isolate amid the pandemic.
The province considered purchasing the Travelodge outright, but said it could not reach a deal with the building's owner, prompting the B.C. government to purchase the Super 8 instead.
The Comox Valley Transition Society, which currently operates the Travelodge, will also provide services at the Super 8 to "ensure a seamless transition for residents," said the province.
Those services include 24-hour staffing, daily meals, support services, life-skills training and health and wellness services, according to the province.
"We want to make sure that these vulnerable people are not left homeless, which is why we made substantial efforts to purchase this hotel and create a valuable housing resource for the community," said B.C. Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon in a statement Monday.
"These new homes will further add to the significant efforts underway in Courtenay and across the province to tackle the housing crisis and build the homes people need," he said.
Residents are expected to begin moving in early June.
Anyone interested in commenting on the purchase of the motel can reach out to BC Housing online, or attend an information session at the Lodge Room in the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay on June 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

5 dead after single-vehicle crash near Swan River, Man.
Swan River RCMP are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed five people in western Manitoba Saturday afternoon.
Two killed in bear attack at Banff National Park, grizzly euthanized: Parks Canada
Parks Canada says a bear attack in Alberta's Banff National Park has left two people dead. Officials say a response team trained in wildlife attacks was immediately mobilized but weather conditions at the time did not allow for helicopter use.
Ontario expands pharmacists' prescription powers to include 6 more common ailments
Ontario residents can now access treatment and medication for six more common ailments at pharmacies across the province.
Tim Wakefield, who revived his career and Red Sox trophy case with knuckleball, has died at 57
Tim Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57.
Federal prisoner with terminal illness granted parole on compassionate grounds to die outside of jail
A terminally ill federal prisoner, who has been fighting for a compassionate release to die outside of jail, has been granted day parole.
Turkiye strikes suspected Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq after suicide attack in Ankara
The Turkish defense ministry says its warplanes have carried out raids on suspected Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq on Sunday following a suicide attack on a government building in the Turkish capital.
Quebec public-sector unions continue to see strong support for strike mandates
Members of several Quebec public-sector unions are continuing to vote in favour of strike mandates by large margins.
Chair hogs, dining divas and boorish boozers: Is cruising etiquette lost at sea?
When it comes to uncouth, uncultured and downright unacceptable behaviour on ships, experts in travel etiquette and cruising have seen it all. They share plenty of bad behaviours for passengers to avoid (and good ones they should emulate).
1 in 20 Americans used ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, study finds
A recent study has found 1 in 20 people in the U.S. who contracted COVID-19 used non-evidence based treatment, such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, due to beliefs in vaccine-related misinformation.