A joint effort is underway to redevelop three adjacent parcels in Nanaimo for affordable rental housing and expanded community services.
The provincial government, the City of Nanaimo and School District 68 have inked a deal to look at options for housing, recreation and education on the lots, which cover a total of 5.79 acres (2.34 hectares).
School District 68 owns the property at 505 Howard Ave., formerly the site of Harewood School. The city owns 502 Howard Ave., which has a sports field on it, and B.C. Housing owns 564 Fifth St., which has been for rental housing.
The plan by the three governments envisages new affordable rental housing, a new site for the learning-alternative school, integrating parks and recreation services, and adding other community services such as health and child care.
Details of how the property will be used or how many housing units would be proposed remain to be worked out. Public consultation is part of the planning process, expected to be wrapped up by summer 2020.
Nanaimo has a severe shortage of affordable rental housing.
The province has invested $3.6 million to set up two temporary supportive housing projects with slightly more than 160 beds for homeless citizens in Nanaimo. It contributed $900,000 for a 10-bed women’s transition house and is spending $12.1 million for three buildings with 121 affordable rental units in total.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Selina Robinson said the province wants to work with partners “where there’s an opportunity to use available land to meet a community’s needs, including building more affordable housing for families.”
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said: “The Fifth Street corridor will provide needed amenities and services to the Harewood neighbourhood.”
