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BC Housing and City Make Progress on Landmark MOU

Supportive Housing Development Permit Applications Submitted

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed February 8, 2021 9:26 AM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo and BC Housing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to build new affordable and supportive housing in the community over the next few years.

BC Housing has recently submitted Development Permit Applications for two supportive housing locations: 285 Prideaux Street (Community Services Building) and 702 Nicol Street. Both sites were previously identified as BC Housing and City of Nanaimo MOU projects.

City owned property, 285 Prideaux Street (Community Services Building), was identified as a proposed site to build 51 new homes with supports for people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, in Nanaimo. A portion of the existing Community Services Building is currently being used as a COVID-19 emergency response centre.

The vacant property at 702 Nicol Street is owned by BC Housing. They intend on building a four storey personal care facility with 59 supportive housing units for people requiring special care, as well as an accessory community meeting space.

BC Housing and its partners hosted online virtual neighbourhood meetings in July and August of 2020 to share information about the plans for 285 Prideaux Street and 702 Nicol Street, answer questions and collect community feedback with the public. Neighbourhood dialogue sessions for both sites were also held in December of 2020 for the design planning of the building.

The development application for 285 Prideaux Street is in the preliminary stages of being reviewed. The public can view the plans for both sites on the City's What’s Building in My Neighbourhood? webpage. The 285 Prideaux Street application will also be on the agenda of an upcoming Design Advisory Panel meeting.

The 702 Nicol Street application will be going to Council in the coming weeks for their approval.

Link to Strategic Plan: Council and the City remain committed to working with different levels of government in building new affordable and supportive housing options in Nanaimo over the next few years.

Key Points

  • The MOU agreement includes new developments proposed on six (6) sites around the city: three (3) affordable rental housing developments with approximately 125 homes for people with low to moderate incomes; and, four (4) supportive housing developments with approximately 190 homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the community.
  • 285 Prideaux Street (Community Services Building) and 702 Nicol Street were previously identified as BC Housing and City of Nanaimo MOU projects.
  • Since 2018 alone, a combined total of nearly 730 affordable and supportive housing units are under construction, completed, in-progress or announced (see summary table under images). Additionally, there are 60 units coming from the navigation centre to help support Nanaimo people experiencing homelessness.

Quotes

"I am very appreciative of the leadership the City of Nanaimo is showing to move forward on these much-needed supportive housing projects to support people living outside. If approved, more than 100 people will soon have a safe and secure home, with 24/7 support services to help them stabilize and rebuild their lives. That’s a great start on the work we need to continue to do in partnership."

David Eby
Attorney General and Minister responsible for Housing
Government of BC

"I’m pleased to see the progress being made on our MOU with BC Housing and look forward to the day when the City, BC Housing and our partners can welcome residents to their homes and see them get the support they need. In the meantime, Council and I, we will continue to advocate for more development of housing options in our community, along with wraparound services."

Leonard Krog
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

Images

Proposed Rendering of 285 Prideaux Street
Proposed Rendering of 285 Prideaux Street
Summary Table of Status of Affordable and Supportive Housing Units Since 2018
Summary Table of Status of Affordable and Supportive Housing Units Since 2018
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Contact:

For Media inquiries, please contact:
Media Relations
City of Nanaimo
(250) 754-4251

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