The temporary housing complex at 250 Terminal Ave., created as Discontent City was closing in late 2018, is now planned to be replaced by more permanent housing. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

housing

Nanaimo’s temporary housing sites to be replaced, numerous supportive and affordable housing sites announced

Jul 13, 2020 | 11:37 AM

NANAIMO — New housing projects from the province and City of Nanaimo intend to replace the two temporary housing sites hastily created to handle the closure of Discontent City.

A substantial announcement from the province on Monday, July 13 unveiled numerous new supportive and affordable housing projects.

It includes a 50 bed supportive housing complex at 250 Terminal Ave., which is currently the site of a temporary housing complex built in late 2018 as Discontent City closed.

The Community Services Building on Prideaux St., which was being transformed into an emergency shelter for the height of the pandemic, will be converted into a 50 bed supportive housing complex.

Another 40 beds will be created at the property formerly called Samaritan House on Nicol St.

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Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson told NanaimoNewsNOW new supportive housing sites will hopefully look like Orca Place in Parksville.

“Something purpose-built, had low-impact on neighbours, all the supports built it. Everything from the beginning we didn’t get at Labieux and Terminal because we were under the gun of a court-ordered evacuation of tent city. No one was proud or happy of that solution.”

As of Monday, July 13 there are 78 people living at the Terminal Ave. site and 86 at Labieux Rd. Both are at full capacity.

The ministry of municipal affairs and housing said it’s hoped all sites will be developed within one to three years.

This also includes the 40 units of affordable housing anticipated for the 250 Terminal Ave. site and development of a larger complex in the Harewood neighbourhood.

“The total budget has not yet been determined as these projects are in the proposal phase,” a statement from the ministry said. “Funding will come from the provinces 10-year $7 billion investment in affordable housing.”

In Nanaimo, the number of people considered absolutely homeless jumped by roughly 25 per cent.

It reached at least 425 living unsheltered, increasing by more than 100 people from the 2018 count, which itself doubled from 2016.

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