Province commits 170 units of housing to Nanaimo, wants tent city eviction delayed
NANAIMO — The province says 170 units of temporary housing is on the way to Nanaimo, but they’re calling on the City to delay the eviction of downtown’s massive homeless encampment.
Housing Minister Selina Robinson said the province purchased land at 250 Terminal Ave., where 80 units of “temporary workforce modular housing” will be installed. She said a further 90 units will be placed on land offered by the City inside the Public Works yard on Labieux Rd.
The units will include 24/7 “wraparound services” and supports and are specifically earmarked for people inside downtown Nanaimo’s Discontent City, the Minister said.
But Robinson said while the temporary housing is “on the way” to Nanaimo, it won’t be ready for people to move in until the end of November. The City has a Supreme Court of B.C. injunction order allowing them to remove people from the camp at 1 Port Dr. as of Oct. 12.