Merritt, Canada, residents and city officials seek clarity on new BC Housing homeless shelter lease at Knights Inn

Merritt residents and city officials are seeking clarity on a new homeless shelter project set to begin at the Knights Inn. The decision to convert the property into a shelter has sparked public concern and questions about the city’s awareness and involvement in the process.

Merritt city council and staff held a town hall meeting on Sept. 6, drawing a packed crowd at the Merritt Civic Centre. The event aimed to address community inquiries about the project, which involves a lease agreement between BC Housing and the Knights Inn. The lease, set to last until March 30, 2027, includes $1.9 million in annual operating funding for the shelter.

City administrator Cynthia White revealed that the city was largely unaware of the lease agreement until residents began contacting the mayor. “In our communications with the owner, there was no intention that they would sign this lease,” White stated. “So we were not aware that this was happening and that the lease had been signed until people started calling the mayor about it.”

During the town hall, city staff emphasized that BC Housing had presented the project to the mayor and council in June, but the council had expressed opposition to a low barrier shelter in the community. “Council told BC Housing they were not in support of a low barrier shelter in our community, which is essentially what this is,” White said.

Notably, BC Housing representatives were absent from the town hall. City staff noted that BC Housing had been invited to attend both in-person and online, but the organization cited safety concerns. Mayor Mike Goetz expressed frustration with this absence, stating, “I hate the fact that a group that doesn’t know this community thinks that we’re immediately going to jump on somebody and be brutal? That’s not who we are.”

Goetz also criticized BC Housing for not attending the meeting, saying, “They’ve put us in this position, so now we’re taking the beating for them.” City staff highlighted that BC Housing has promised 24/7 on-site support for shelter residents and expects them to participate in the upkeep of the building and grounds.

Cactus Annie’s co-manager Derek Mosley, whose bar is located on the same property as the previous shelter, has expressed skepticism about the project. His concerns reflect the broader community unease surrounding the new shelter’s impact on local businesses and residents.

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