The Sanala affordable housing complex on Fifth St. will soon be empty as residents are moved into other subsidized housing. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

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NANAIMO — Residents of a dilapidated south Nanaimo affordable housing complex are finally moving out of squalor.

BC Housing confirmed 23 of the 34 households at the Sanala townhousecomplex on Fifth St., formerly operated by the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, were moved into subsidized housing around Nanaimo. There’s currently tenants in 10 households still to be moved.

Rent at Sanala was geared to income and tenants pay the same rates at their new subsidized housing.

Kari White, who lead the push for better housing, said she’s thrilled to be in new accommodations and can now sleep safe at night.

“The last night (at Sanala) was a pretty horrible night. I didn’t sleep much. Because there was nothing left in my apartment, there were cockroaches coming out of the walls everywhere and I didn’t sleep well. I’m so glad I now have a safe place,” she told NanaimoNewsNow.

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White’s goal is now to keep the Sanala community together and thriving, despite being housed across Nanaimo.

“It’s been a struggle and adjustment for everyone,” she said. “We have children who’ve been right next door and right in the community for years and now they’re separated from one side of town to the other. The adults, the single moms, they were used to having other moms for support.”

White said social media keeps everyone tethered but it’s not the same as having a community lawn.

The shift online has helped share resources which many of the families need.

“We’re trying to connect tenants and this community with the resources which so many don’t know are out there.”

As the move-out of residents continues, so does legal action launched by White against BC Housing and the City of Nanaimo.

White said tenants and BC Housing are cooperating on the relocation while the lawsuit works through the courts.

Housing operators Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre weren’t named in the civil claim.

The Sanala complex is anticipated to be demolished as part of a larger Te’Tuxwtun housing project, which is slated to rejuvenate the Fifth St. and Howard St. corner right beside Sanala.

BC Housing said construction is expected to start in late 2023.

“All former Sanala tenants who are eligible for affordable housing will be provided with the option to return to the newly developed Te’tuxwtun homes once construction is complete,” a BC Housing statement said.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt