Construction will get underway on a building on Nanaimo’s Nicol Street that will provide more than 50 housing units for people experiencing homelessness.
Island Crisis Care Society, which will operate the facility, issued a press release Wednesday, April 7, announcing that the project had broken ground.
The four-storey building in the 700 block of Nicol will feature 52 studio suites and seven units with two beds each that will be available to vulnerable women.
Staff will provide support 24/7 at the facility, with meals and laundry services available as well as access to mental health and wellness supports, noted the press release.
“I am delighted to see this incredible advance towards providing much-needed alternative housing for the most vulnerable women and men in our community,” said Violet Hayes, the society’s executive director, in a press release. “ICCS is proud to be at the forefront of this collaboration, which will help many people on their road to recovery and independence.”
The province, through B.C. Housing, is providing approximately $13.6 million in capital funding as well as $1.4 million in annual operating funding.
“These supportive homes will help break the cycle of homelessness for people in need of stable and secure housing,” said Doug Routley, Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA, in the release. “By helping people move on from homelessness, we are creating positive impacts that extend to neighbours, first responders and the community.”
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said the supportive housing and bridge to housing for vulnerable women help to advance the goals of the City of Nanaimo’s recently adopted health and housing action plan.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.
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City of Nanaimo Coun. Erin Hemmens, left, Coun. Don Bonner, Mayor Leonard Krog, Snuneymuxw elder Lolly Good, Samaritan House program manager Ronell Bosman and Island Crisis Care Society executive director Violet Hayes were on hand for groundbreaking at 702 Nicol St. (Photo submitted)
