Kitimat council approves $125,000 for Day Shelter while long-term funding questions remain

Kitimat council approved a $125,000 AHIOF grant to support the Tamitik Status of Women's Day Shelter for 2026; councillors raised concerns that the District could end up covering the program's full $250,020.70 budget.

Kitimat council approved a $125,000 grant for the Tamitik Status of Women's Day Shelter for 2026. The funding is drawn from the Affordable Housing Initiatives and Operational Fund and was presented as half of the shelter's eligible operating expenses for the year. Several councillors expressed concern that the District could be expected to cover the program's full budget. The decision followed Housing Committee support and staff reporting that the shelter met Policy A-13 criteria. Key facts: - The council approved $125,000 from the AHIOF, representing 50 per cent of the shelter's eligible operating expenses for 2026. - The District has already committed $96,438 for 2026 and an additional $28,562 is under consideration through the budget process; if approved municipal contributions would total roughly $250,000 of the $250,020.70 operating budget. - Tamitik's AHIOF Stream 2 application was submitted Nov. 24, 2025 and included a planned mid-year relocation; the shelter will operate at 107-480 City Centre from January to June and at 307-450 City Centre from June to December. - In 2024 the Day Shelter reported between 987 and 1,504 visits per month and cited 66 individuals experiencing homelessness in Kitimat. - Councillors voiced differing views: one councillor said he would support one year but worried about ongoing expectations; another introduced and supported the motion; a third warned of strain on local resources. Staff confirmed no discussions had taken place with the Haisla Nation about contributions, and Acting Mayor Michelle Martins noted Tamitik's long history of local service, including Food Share operations. Summary: The approval gives the Day Shelter short-term operational support while highlighting concerns about the District's total financial exposure. The budget process will consider an additional $28,562 that, if approved, would bring municipal contributions to roughly $250,000.