A plan to set up two portable classrooms in Langford as temporary shelters for homeless youth is falling apart over municipal red tape.

West Shore Youth Housing Task Force chair Bill McElroy said he is selling the two portables purchased in August because the City of

Langford said the process to get permission to install the portables would take eight months to a year to complete and would cost $4,000, and even then would come down to a council decision.

In the meantime moving the portables and storing them would cost the group money it doesnB次元官网网址檛 have.

B次元官网网址淚 said B次元官网网址業 havenB次元官网网址檛 got that much time,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� McElroy said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not too happy but you have to deal with reality.B次元官网网址�

After an article in the Gazette in August,

McElroy said four people approached him wanting to help with the project, but nobody came forward with an offer of land for the portables.

Even if land was on the table the process to get it rezoned proved too daunting to the group. McElroy spoke to

LangfordB次元官网网址檚 planning department and said he didnB次元官网网址檛 get very far.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 get a sense this guy said B次元官网网址榳eB次元官网网址檙e going to really put our heads together over here and figure out a way to make this work,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� McElroy said. B次元官网网址淚t was, B次元官网网址榶ou apply and then when we get the application weB次元官网网址檒l look at it.B次元官网网址� I donB次元官网网址檛 think thatB次元官网网址檚 a reasonable gamble.B次元官网网址�

The predicted wait time is typical, said Langford Coun. Lillian Spzak, especially considering that the area hasnB次元官网网址檛 zoned land for shelters or assisted accommodation to date. B次元官网网址淲hat it comes down to is that there is a process that needs to be followed within the limits of the municipal act,B次元官网网址� said Spzak.

Though the project seems to have hit a hiccup, Spzak noted that the city is in support of community needs and assisting young people. B次元官网网址淭he next step for them may be to speak to the Juan de Fuca Parks and Recreation, or co-locate on school board land. These places have a synergy and would work well together,B次元官网网址� she suggested.

McElroy said estimates suggest there are around 20 youths on any given night sleeping alongside the Galloping Goose Trail, by Langford Lake or couch surfing.

The task force plans to go back to the primary plan of finding a house to rent which would require permanent funding, the linch pin to the initiative,  McElroy said.

Another option to explore is to co-ordinate pairing up homeless youth with residents that have rooms to rent. McElroy said policy would have to be established to assure safety.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l find something,B次元官网网址� McElroy said, B次元官网网址渂ecause thereB次元官网网址檚 still kids out there looking for a place to stay and the cold weather is coming. ItB次元官网网址檚 just a hiccup.B次元官网网址�

To help, email McElroy at bill.mcelroy@shaw.ca. To donate, call the Pacific Centre Family Services Association at 250-478-8357.