Multiple people can be seen outside the Nicol St. entrance to The Hub, which does valuable work in connecting people to healthcare and housing supports, but has also had its challenges with social disorder. It will close March 31, 2026 with no replacement location identified yet. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

unclear path forward

Potential future Nanaimo Hub location identified, multiple roadblocks remain

Mar 24, 2026 | 10:33 AM

NANAIMO — Local organizations working with those living rough in the community believe they’ve found a long-term home for a community hub, but several challenges remain.

Representatives from Nanaimo Family Life Association (NFLA) and the Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS), who operate The Hub at 55 Victoria Rd., asked for Council support to pursue moving into 250 Albert St., as their current location is set to close at month’s end.

NFLA executive director Deborah Hollins told Councillors on Monday, March 23, the facility has had true, positive impacts for the marginalized community in Nanaimo, supporting hundreds of people with basic needs, community connections, and housing opportunities.

“For the past year, the financial support from federal, provincial, and municipal governments has created a viable answer for our community’s unhoused people. When individuals have a safe, reliable place to go during the day and during the night, they remain connected to outreach workers, health providers, cultural support, and housing navigators.”

Closure of the Hub is expected to increase the number of people on city streets, sleeping in doorways, and struggling to meet their basic needs.

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In addition to daytime services, the Hub also serves as a 20-bed overnight shelter.

Over recent months, nearly three dozen properties have been examined by Hub operators, but a vast majority have significant drawbacks.

Building layouts, lease costs, or capital money required for renovations so the building suits their purpose, were all identified as challenges.

Hollins, along with ICCS executive director Violet Hayes, said 250 Albert St. was suggested to them by Nanaimo-Gabriola MLA Sheila Malcolmson, who also serves as the minister for social development and poverty reduction.

It’s currently home to an overdose prevention site and is being renovated for an expanded Nanaimo Wellness and Recovery Centre, due to open later this year.

Hayes said a provincially owned location would remove a lot of uncertainty around leasing in the private market.

“The proposed Hub would provide daytime services, low-barrier overnight shelter, meals, showers, laundry, housing navigation, health outreach, Indigenous-led cultural services, and coordinated case management in one integrated location.”

Both Hollins and Hayes requested Council write a letter of support to aid in their pitch to BC Housing for operational and capital funding to move into the facility.

Even if the City and BC Housing were on board, a major roadblock could still exist: Island Health.

Hayes and Hollins said the health authority had been approached indirectly and informally about the use of 250 Albert St., with Hayes saying, “we didn’t get a positive response.”

City of Nanaimo chief administrative officer Dale Lindsay shared similar experiences of City staff in their efforts over the last year to find a more suitable location for The Hub.

“We have talked to Island Health, either through this process or in the past, about the use of this building, and they’ve been pretty consistent…the answer has always been ‘not at this time.'”

Undeterred, coun. Hilary Eastmure recommended staff contact Island Health and have formal discussions regarding The Hub setting up at 250 Albert St., and report back to Council at a future meeting.

Her motion was supported unanimously, and was seen as a prerequisite to any formal support from the City.

“I just think it’s the right thing to do, to formally approach Island Health and say this is being talked about, it’s being brought to Council,” Eastmure said. “It just makes sense to me to formalize this and have a real discussion about this, because the need is urgent, and the community partners are here and ready to do the work.”

Mayor Leonard Krog said 250 Albert St. has already caused issues for City staff and surrounding neighbours, and he would be hesitant to add more services to the area without considerable information on potential impacts.

A proposed fence and other security measures around parking lots on Albert St. were proposed last summer but swiftly rejected by Council, including Krog.

“I do not want to see us endorsing any site in this community without some serious consideration and the opportunity for community response. I’ll support the motion to get a report back, but I’m not in any way endorsing tonight the location at 250 Albert St.”

Neighbours to the current Hub location on Victoria Rd., with access off Nicol St. have painted a grim picture of the effects on their lives as a result of the facility operating.

Increased social disorder and what was called “disturbing and traumatic behaviours” were reported by several area residents and business owners to Council throughout much of 2025.

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