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Construction activity at the site of the former Polson Park Motel where the new Polson Supportive Housing Project is proposed (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)
By Liam Verster
42-Unit Project

Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon

Jul 23, 2026 | 3:40 PM

A new supportive housing project in Vernon will get some municipal support.

At their meeting on Monday, July 20, Vernon City Council was asked to waive the Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for the project at the site of the former Polson Park Motel on 24th Avenue.

City staff recommended waiving $125,518 in fees and covering that through the Community Planning – Affordable Housing Reserve, as well as covering another $47,519.80 in fees through the General Fund, formerly known as the Prior Year Unexpended Uncommitted Balance Reserve.

The new Polson Supportive Housing building would have 48 apartment-style supportive housing units, operated by Turning Points Collaborative Society.

A city staff report did note the proposed building qualified for DCC exemptions of $173,037.80 in municipal charges and another $132,266.80 in regional charges.

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Vernon City Council voted unanimously in favour of waiving the DCCs for the new supportive housing project.

Also during Monday’s meeting, City Council directed staff to review the bylaw that oversaw waiving DCC waivers for low-income housing to see if a better framework could be devised for supporting those projects in the future without waiving the fees.

The decision to waive the DCCs for the project came during the same meeting in which Scott Anderson, Member of Parliament for Vernon-Monashee, railed against supportive housing in a presentation to council.

by Liam Verster
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