‘If we do nothing, nothing is going to change’: lease approved for south Nanaimo social housing facility

Local opposition
Prior to the lease deal being approved in an 8-1 vote, area resident Valentina Cardinalli spoke strongly against it.

She cited multiple other existing and planned social housing projects in the local area and a lack of public engagement as primary concerns.

“The 1030 Old Victoria Rd. site with 60 units will only be 950 meters away from the Tenth St./Island Hwy. Rona location itself with 50 and that’s a mere 650 meters from the proposed Cranberry location.”

A future permanent 25-unit housing complex for women and children is pledged by BC Housing at 1425 Cranberry Ave. is included as part of an ambitious Memorandum of Understanding struck in 2020 between the City and BC Housing.

Cardinalli said the lack of public engagement on the project was disappointing.

Floyd Peters lives on McKenzie Rd., across from the future housing offering, also known as a Navigation Centre.

He told NanaimoNewsNOW the south end has taken on more than its share of social housing.

“It’s a good neighbourhood now and we want to keep it that way…we’re not a scum area, we want to keep it here,” Peters said.

The enclosed red area is a section of City-owned property where a temporary supportive housing complex is planned to be built. (City of Nanaimo)

Council reaction
Coun. Ben Geselbracht, a south Nanaimo resident, said while he’d like to see supportive housing initiatives “built out” to other areas, he noted the City spent several years trying to secure the Old Victoria Rd. site for this use.

“…people are just getting worse and worse and becoming a greater and greater threat to the community. I’m very supportive of this and I’m very committed to see it work well and be responsive to what the communities’ concerns are…”

Coun. Sheryl Armstrong was the lone dissenting voice.

She stated 60 units is too many for the site while contending “phase two” housing is required to give people living in recovery a place to call home.

“We’re doing nothing for the homeless people that are there strictly because of financial reasons, they’re not getting any support, those supports are all going to those with addictions and mental health, that’s an issue for me,” Armstrong said.

She also cited concerns about potential impacts on nearby Clay Tree Society, which provides programming for people with developmental challenges.

Coun. Janice Perrino said she’s encouraged by the housing model proposed for 1030 Old Victoria Rd., which is designed for people who want to be there to improve their well-being.

“The fact is if we do nothing, nothing is going to change and as councillor Manly said we have left this too long and our beautiful city is sitting here with a mess and we have to do something,” she said.

Council also instructed a Good Neighbour agreement to be implemented as part of the lease arrangement.

A City staff report noted the province intends to establish the facility using statutory immunity, enabling the use or development of land without requiring municipal approved.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

‘If we do nothing, nothing is going to change’: lease approved for south Nanaimo social housing facility

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