In the last few years the affordable housing discussion has become a permanent part of Nelson’s political landscape. It’s been discussed at City Hall, by our representatives in Victoria and even trickled its way to the federal realm.
Plenty has been discussed, yet the statistics and the optics show the situation is worse than ever in Nelson. This community is a magnet for people — rich, poor and everybody in between. It shouldn’t be a surprise to see more extremes as the popularity of the city grows.
While politicians continue to talk and reports continue to be written, it’s encouraging to see Kootenay Christian Fellowship’s ambitious plan to offer at least some form of practical solution to the issue.
As Pastor Jim Reimer lays out in a story on Page 3 of today’s paper, the plan is turn the old Savoy Hotel into a “social enterprise.” A combination of low-cost housing, a worship area, performance space, retail and the Our Daily Bread meal service would take over the derelict building. It’s an idea with the potential to make a pretty significant dent in issues pertaining to some of the most vulnerable in our community.
At its best, this is what organized religion does — help the people who need it most. Kootenay Christian Fellowship has proven with Our Daily Bread what can be achieved through kindness and wants to make a further commitment to change.
The community should embrace the idea by standing with Reimer and those trying to make it happen. It won’t be easy.
To make the transformation of the Savoy a reality it’s going to take money. Lots of money. Reimer has thrown out figures of more than a million dollars to make it happen. At this point there is no government support and the goal is to make it a self-sustainable operation.
This community showed its heart when the Kerr Apartments burned last month. The crisis made us think about the needs of strangers. That outpouring can continue with this project and even more lives can be changed through local solutions to daunting problems.