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Modular Housing - 1425 Cranberry Avenue

On 2018-FEB-19, Council direction was given to withdraw 1425 Cranberry Avenue as a location for the BC Housing modular housing initiative.

BC Housing is partnering with the City of Nanaimo to provide up to 44 units of stable, secure and supported modular housing for vulnerable people in the community who are currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This project will be located at 1425 Cranberry Avenue, as shown on the location plan below. 

1425 Cranberry Ave - Location Plan-2

  • Progress

    Nanaimo’s modular housing project is part of a province-wide investment of $291 million to build 2,000 homes. The Government of British Columbia is investing approximately $7.25 million towards the 1425 Cranberry Avenue project.

    On 2018-JAN-31, BC Housing and the City of Nanaimo held an Open House to present information on the project and respond to questions from residents.  The information boards from the meeting and the handout are available under the ‘Documents’ tab of this page.

    The next step in the process is for Council to approve a lease agreement with BC Housing, after which the project will obtain Development and Building Permits. The aim is for site works to begin in Spring 2018 in order for the housing to be available for occupancy in Fall 2018.

  • Documents
  • Details

    BC Housing, the City of Nanaimo and Pacifica Housing are working together to address the urgent need for housing and supports for individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Nanaimo. The project will be constructed on city-owned land with construction funding and ongoing funding support provided by BC Housing.

    The 1425 Cranberry Avenue site was selected based on a number of criteria, including: Fair distribution of affordable housing across the community; proximity to amenities and transit; connection to community services and potential employment areas; residential areas and available City-owned property.

    The project will provide up to 44 units of new supportive housing with 24/7 onsite supports. The three-storey modular building will be located at 1425 Cranberry Avenue and will be operated by Pacifica Housing. Each self-contained home will include a bathroom and kitchen. Tenants will also have access to a shared amenity space, a meal program and support services.

    The operator, Pacifica Housing, is an experienced non-profit housing organization that operates several facilities in Nanaimo, including a similar supported housing project on Uplands Drive. A post-occupancy survey of the neighbourhood of the Uplands Walk project, available under the ‘Documents’ tab, found that the neighbours of that project have had a much more positive experience with the project than they anticipated.

    Please send any questions or comments regarding this project to  socialplanning@nanaimo.ca. All comments will be shared with the City of Nanaimo and Pacifica Housing.

  • Background

    Access to housing is a critical issue in the Nanaimo area. At the 2016 homelessness count, 174 individuals were counted as currently homeless (e.g. living outside or in a public space, in an emergency shelter or unsure where they were going to stay that night). The modular project will reduce the number of people living on the streets by providing homes for those who are either currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

    The City of Nanaimo is committed to addressing the key social issues facing our community, including homelessness. Our response to homelessness is spelled out in Nanaimo's Response to Homelessness Action Plan (2008), which has to date resulted in three BC Housing supported housing developments. For details on the Action Plan and other supported housing projects in the City, click here. 

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