Three new four storey buildings are envisioned for a Hillcrest Ave. lot, near the Wakesiah Ave. and Third St. intersection. It would include all subsidized rental housing. (Christine Lintott Architects Inc.)

By Alex Rawnsley

subsidized rentals

‘We’re adding substantially more:’ affordable housing complex expanding in Nanaimo

Oct 13, 2025 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — A sizeable injection of affordable and subsidized housing is planned through a new housing development.

A total of 160 studio, one, two and three bedroom units are planned across three, four-storey buildings at 309 Hillcrest Ave., adjacent to the Third St. and Wakesiah Ave. intersection.

Currently on the site are 34 subsidized rental units spread across 10 townhomes, which will make way for this new development.

But Carolina Ibarra, CEO of the Pacifica Housing Advisory Association, told members of the City’s Design Advisory Panel on Thursday, Oct. 9, those affordable rental spaces won’t be lost.

“We’re actually expanding the offering of affordable units to a broader range of people. We will be protecting, so to speak, the number of units that are currently available, we’ve also made sure that we’ve incorporated family units as well so we don’t have a loss, but we’re adding substantially more.”

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Ibarra added they’ve applied for funding through BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund and plan to operate a building with a mixture of tenants on varying levels of income.

“There will be people who are at the higher end, I think 20 per cent [of suites] are middle income earners, but everybody else would either be rent geared to income, or only able to pay $500 a month. In terms of affordability, it will absolutely add a lot more than we currently have.”

This view, from Wakesiah Ave., shows the proposed layout of the site. (Christine Lintott Architects Inc.)

The buildings themselves are currently planned to be orientated in different directions.

One will sit perpendicular to Wakesiah Ave., near Foster St., while the other two will run parallel to Wakesiah Ave., but further away.

Outdoor common areas and a multi-use pathway are also planned as part of the development, with landscape architects aiming to keep as many of the tree canopy currently on site as possible.

The site also sits within walking distance of Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre, the city’s Stadium District, Vancouver Island University and Nanaimo District Secondary School.

Transit routes also stop on the property line.

Inside, 47 studio apartments, 59 one bedroom, 36 two bedroom and 18 three bedroom units are included in designs.

The Panel, which examines building design, form and character, provided eight recommendations for the project, including expanding the multi-use pathway into a loop, incorporating a small playground on site and ensuring lighting won’t affect neighbouring properties.

One variances was requested by developers, and supported by the Panel, for the number of parking spots.

City regulations require 188 spaces for a development of this size, however designs have only included 111.

Historically, car use among subsidized housing developments is lower as more residents use transit or ride share options, rather than owning a vehicle.

The project must now come before Nanaimo City Council at a future meeting for a development permit.

A multi-use pathway would move through the property for residents and visitors. (Christine Lintott Architects Inc.)

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