UPDATE: LRCA Extraordinary Meeting Follow Up

As we continue to be transparent, straightforward and consistent in our communications, the LRCA is providing this update following the Extraordinary General Membership Meeting held on July 14, 2022.

As many of you are aware, a group of LRCA members, who are advocates and self-advocates of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, requisitioned an extraordinary general meeting this past Summer about the Heart on the Hill Project at 314 Buller Street in Ladysmith (the Project). The Project is an $11 + million 36-unit affordable, independent living, building based on the Community Housing Fund, a provincial housing program funded by the Government of British Columbia acting through its agent, BC Housing, for low to moderate income seniors, families, and persons with disabilities, including persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

As a follow up to the extraordinary general meeting, the Board would like to provide an update as we continue to work towards implementing the Motions that were passed by attending members.

As a reminder, and for those who may not have been able to attend the meeting, the following Motions were adopted by LRCA Members in attendance:

• Motion 1: To acknowledge and respect the 2018 commitments, including the intent to prioritize 1/3 of the units in the Heart on the Hill Building for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Motion 2a: To act in good faith and recognize the financial limitations of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities by prioritizing six “deep subsidy units” for this target population.
• Motion 2b: To act in good faith and recognize the financial limitations of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities by prioritizing six “Rent Geared to Income units” for this target population.
• Motion 3: To work with BC Housing to seek opportunities to make six RGI units affordable to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, defined herein as a monthly rent of $400-500 per month (in 2022).
• Motion 4: To fulfil its mandate to address the needs of the community, including advocating for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities in consultation with self-advocates and their supporters.

These Motions were put forward by the group of LRCA members who requisitioned the extraordinary general meeting, and who spoke passionately at the meeting about these matters.

Next Steps to Implement the Motions:

After the meeting, the Board informed BC Housing, the Project’s primary funder, of the direction the LRCA received from its membership. This was an important and necessary step because the LRCA must abide by the Project’s legally binding Operating Agreement with BC Housing. We have continued to follow-up with BC Housing regularly.

Since the meeting, the Board has been consulting with interested LRCA members to discuss implementing the Motions in a good way, taking into account the executed Operating Agreement, and the need to fulfil its mandate to address the needs of the community, including advocating for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities in consultation with self-advocates and their supporters (Motion 4). Consultations to date have included:

• July 26th when two members of the Board met virtually with two LRCA members, who were part of the group that requisitioned the extraordinary general meeting and put forward the motions, and who are supporters for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, one acting in the role of advisor to the group, and one as the designated spokesperson for the group.
• July 28th communications between the four attendees of the July 26th virtual meeting.
• July 29th communications between the four attendees of the July 26th virtual meeting.
• August 2nd when a member of the Board met in-person with an LRCA member who is a supporter for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and expressed concern for the misplaced anger surrounding this project, and the need to find a solution that would not impact the Operating Agreement. This discussion highlighted the need for further housing projects in Ladysmith, including the need for projects outside of the parameters of the Community Housing Fund, for those in need of on-site support and/or unable to live independently.
• August 3rd communications between the four attendees of the July 26th virtual meeting.
• August 5th communications between the four attendees of the July 26th virtual meeting.
• August 6th communications between the four attendees of the July 26th virtual meeting.
• August 8th communications between the four attendees of the July 26th virtual meeting.
• August 9th communications between the four attendees of the July 26th virtual meeting.
• August 10th when a second meeting (held in-person) between the two members of the Board and the two LRCA members, who were part of the group that requisitioned the extraordinary general meeting that put forward the motions, and who are supporters for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, one acting in the role of advisor to the group, and one as the designated spokesperson for the group.
• August 12th communications between the two attendees of the August 2nd meeting.
• August 15th communications between the two attendees of the August 2nd meeting.
• August 17th communication between the four attendees of the July 26th and August 10th meetings.
• August 18th communication between the four attendees of the July 26th and August 10th meetings.
• August 23rd communication between the four attendees of the July 26th and August 10th meetings.
• August 31st communication between a Board member and an LRCA member, reiterating support for the LRCA
• September 8th communication between the four attendees of the July 26th and August 10th meetings.
• September 8th communication between the four attendees of the July 26th and August 10th meetings.
• September 28th communication between a board member and an LRCA member who was part of the group that requisitioned the extraordinary general meeting and put forward the motions, and who is a supporter for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

The Board invites any interested LRCA Members who would like to discuss the Project or implementation of the Motions to reach out to the Board to set up a virtual or in-person meeting.

The Executive Director, working directly with the Board, is looking to engage an independent party to conduct tenant selection in accordance with the Operating Agreement. In light of the Motions, the Board is drafting an overarching policy that implements the Motions and guides the work of that party. That policy will need BC Housing approval to ensure the LRCA does not breach the Operating Agreement.

So far, we have heard helpful feedback from some LRCA Members and supporters for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities about how to prioritize units for the life of the project for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This will help us in drafting the policy referred to above.

The crux of Motion 2b and Motion 3 is act in good faith to prioritize Rent Geared to Income (RGI) units for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and to work with BC Housing to seek opportunities to make these units affordable (as defined above). The Board sent a letter to BC Housing regarding the ability for an individual designated as a Person with Disabilities (PWD) to rent RGI units, and the Board continues to follow up with BC Housing about this.

We want to thank you for your continued support for the LRCA and interest in this Project. And in closing, we want to remind you or anyone you know who wants to be considered for housing in the Heart on the Hill building to register your application with the BC Housing Registry either online or visit the LRCA office for help with your registration process.