United community groups envision affordable housing and child care at key Old City Quarter corner

“We know families need this housing and daycare is significant when it comes to working families. Not a lot of people can afford rent these days, so we’re looking at supporting working families to get two legs up instead of just one when it comes to the cost of living in Nanaimo.”

The building would include a minimum of 65 child care spaces on the main floor and 48 affordable studio and one-bedroom units above. It would also have a community garden, mixed-use community room and commercial kitchen space.

A service provider for the child care spaces hasn’t yet been identified, but organizations within the Alliance are already working together on providing services elsewhere. A similar model is expected to be followed at the Franklyn St. site.

Draft rendering of the child care and affordable housing complex envisioned by the Nanaimo Community Impact Alliance. (submitted/Nanaimo Community Impact Alliance)

Joy Bremner, president of the Mid Island Metis Nation, said so many organizations being involved will create a fulsome support network for tenants.

“What each of us brings to the table is slightly different and adds to the model on various levels, which is very beneficial for the families utilizing those spaces. By bringing these community organizations together, we start ensuring families are aware of different things they can access.”

Bremner said she hopes the project and unification of organizations to support it will showcase how others can cooperate across the community.

“Instead of individually in small groups going out and approaching all the funding opportunities that come up, how can we work together and look at larger projects benefiting all of us and every aspect of the community we’re looking to service?”

A draft concept of the project was created to be submitted to the City, but Bremner said the Alliance will consult with the community about the project.

She said they don’t want to repeat the sometimes fraught conversations which have happened in recent weeks after BC Housing announced a substantial plan to replace two temporary housing sites and create more supportive housing.

“It’s so easy for individuals who live in the surround areas of particularly projects to form some unusual and unfortunate thoughts about what it’s going to do to their neighbourhood,” she said.

Funding is currently planned to come from BC Housing and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The two lots of land on Franklyn St. are appraised at nearly $1.1 million.

Chris Beaton, executive director of the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, said there are many other options and opportunities in Nanaimo if they aren’t selected to redevelop the site.

“This model of collaboration is not singularly focused on the Franklyn St. site. We’ve been working together for well over one year to address community needs and will continue to do that….wherever we find opportunities to do that.”

The Nanaimo Community Impact Alliance includes The Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island, Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, Mid Island Metis Nation, Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, Nanaimo Foodshare Society, Nanaimo Youth Services Association and the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy.

The application period for bids to redevelop the Franklyn St. lots closed on Friday, July 31.

The City of Nanaimo said it wishes to see the property transformed in a “timely manner” and would buy back the property if redevelopment or construction didn’t begin two years after the land was transferred to the developer.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt

by Spencer Sterritt

United community groups envision affordable housing and child care at key Old City Quarter corner

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