City of Nanaimo rejects Chase River location for $7 million supportive housing initiative
NANAIMO — The decision to reject the chosen location of a supportive housing project in Nanaimo’s south end was met with applause Monday night.
The motion to work with BC Housing and find a site other than Cranberry Ave. in Chase River passed 7-2 after nearly 50 minutes of debate and several delegations. The 44-unit supportive modular housing initiative would be funded entirely by the province, thanks to a $7 million investment.
“I will always support projects that help vulnerable people,” concerned Chase River resident Linda Janes told Council. “However, I’m only in favour of projects like this when they’re well thought out and take into consideration the most vulnerable population in our community and that is our children.”
Her major concern, and the concern of all those who spoke, was the location of the project on the same block as Chase River Elementary School and the Boys and Girls Club.