Fifty-two people who are homeless or at risk of it will find stable homes when a new supportive-housing project opens in Parksville this month.
The modular housing complex will be staffed with two or more people 24 hours a day and offer employment training, health services and counselling to residents.
“To move from being homeless to being able to live in a beautiful place like this with all the supports, they’re going to be able to stabilize their lives,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo.
Malcolmson toured the facility last week, along with former city councillors, media and members of a local homelessness task force.
The three-storey building at 222 Corfield St. South, called Orca Place, contains 52 studio and one-bedroom units outfitted with mini kitchens and private bathrooms. Communal space in the building will be used for meetings.
Island Crisis Care Society, an organization in Nanaimo that provides shelter for people in need, will operate the building and run programs for residents. The province provided $8.4 million to fund the housing project and will invest $870,000 annually for operating costs. The land was provided by the City of Parksville.
To be eligible to move in, applicants must be over the age of 19, homeless or at risk of being homeless and live in the community.
Starting in mid-August, three residents will move in each day to give the organization time to help them settle in. The units are expected to be fully occupied by mid-September. About 100 people were turned away due to lack of space.
The 52 residents will pay $375 a month or 30 per cent of their income, to be determined prior to moving in. Tenants will receive two meals per day and be connected with local services, such as health care and detox, if they request it, B.C. Housing has said.
“The first step to wellness is having a safe place to call home,” said Violet Hayes, executive director of the society. “We believe that Orca Place will be transformative for those who live there and for all of Oceanside.”
The complex has faced stiff opposition in the community. Victoria-based Berwick Retirement Communities announced in June that it was scrapping a planned $52-million seniors-residence project nearby.
Berwick founder Gordon Denford said Orca Place, catering to drug-addicted and mentally-ill tenants, was incompatible with what would have been a 188-unit residence, with a daycare.
Malcolmson acknowledged that neighbours sometimes raise safety concerns about supportive-housing projects. While it’s understandable that the community is wary of new projects, Malcolmson said supportive housing often leads to a decrease in crime for an area.
“One of the outcomes of this supportive housing is that people will learn how to be a good neighbour,” she said.
B.C. Housing has said there will be one entry to Orca Place, where staff are on duty around the clock and will monitor who is coming and going. Security cameras inside and out, security lighting, a fob entry system and fencing are also part of the project.
Similar permanent supportive-housing projects have been introduced in Port Alberni and Courtenay.
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