Photo: Colin Dacre Audra Boudreau

Low income housing, seniors housing, or the fight will continue.

That was the tone from Audra Boudreau after Kelowna city council agreed to hold a special council meeting to discuss a supportive housing project on McCurdy Road.

The announcement by Mayor Colin Basran came after Boudreau presented the city with a 14,000 name petition.

"I think it's a positive step, I think it shows potential, that they are actually listening to the thousands and thousands of residents who have spoken out against such a facility being placed by schools and concentrations of seniors," said Boudreau after the mayor's announcement.

"It's certainly positive that they are going to be, and are, working with BC Housing to try and come up with a more appropriate use for that facility in that locations."

However, Boudreau also left the impression that anything less than a total abandoning of any sort of supportive housing at that location wouldn't be good enough.

"If they are not able to get a hard, rock-solid commitment, on paper from BC Housing that this facility is going to be low income, or if the agreement isn't written into the zoning or the permit that is issued, then what?

"Because, then the 30 days runs out, and that would be unacceptable.

"And then that would be the beginning of a whole different story."

Boudreau says some councillors have told her they are looking at low income housing for that property.

She said low income, or seniors housing is something that would be a win-win for BC Housing, elected officials and the community as a whole.

"That is something I think we could all get behind."

If not, Boudreau says the fight will continue.

She said that would mean a continuation of the petition drive and having MLA Norm Letnick present that to the legislature, which, by the time government sits again, "would likely be closer to 40,000 signatures."

Mayor Basran told those in chambers Monday afternoon he has spoken with Housing Minister Selina Robinson about the operating model.

Basran said this is still within the ministry's "reconsideration period" under the Municipal Act and will "allow for more time for discussion between council and the minister about potential changes to the operating model currently proposed."

Council will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers.