Designs enthusiastically supported for new supportive housing complex in south Nanaimo

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The rear of the building, featuring outdoor amenity space. (S2 Architecture)

repairs underway

Gas line hit during Third St. roadworks in Nanaimo

4h ago

organ advocacy

Organ donor research project ramps up in Nanaimo

10h ago

ready, set, go!

VIDEO: Local kids test gravity with homemade cars

Apr 06, 2026

Many of the current residents at the temporary facility, run under the Province’s HEART and HEARTH model, will move into this new building once completed, according to Patmore.

The four-storey structure will feature 60 studio-style suites with private beds and bathrooms.

Common areas such as tenant support rooms, a commercial kitchen, dining space and lounge area will be included on the ground floor, along with a number of accessible units.

Patmore said the building itself is being positioned in a way to maximize privacy for residents and minimize impact on nearby residential properties.

“The site design is largely focused on integrating the project with safety and privacy in mind. Items which are addressed through the overall design [are] building orientation, landscape screening and access control. Setting the building back into the site provides an inherent natural buffer from McKenzie Rd. and from the adjacent residences.”

The colour palette of the building, featuring mainly earth tones, is also designed to help the facility blend in.

Accessibility is a key feature of the design, with ground level units for those with mobility challenges. (S2 Architecture)

Members of the Design Advisory Panel unanimously supported the project with four minor design-related recommendations, while praising the nature of the project itself.

It will proceed to Nanaimo City Council at a future meeting for development permit approval.

A lease on the City-owned site was approved in mid-2024 for construction of a temporary housing site.

Expansion to a more permanent setup on the northern side of the large lot was proposed and eventually adopted in March of this year, with BC Housing leading the project.

Both the temporary and more permanent housing options at 1030 Old Victoria Rd. are part of a series of new and upgraded housing options in Nanaimo.

Fifth spaces opened in May on the Island Hwy. in Chase River, with updates to 250 Terminal Ave. also envisioned in the near future.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook