Nearly 190 new indoor housing spaces are on the way for people experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo.
The new and renovated units are being created across three sites, with the goal of helping people transition out of temporary shelters and into safer, more stable housing.
The BC government is putting forward approximately $32 million for the initiative.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming:
- 1300 Island Highway South: 50 brand-new units operated by Connective Support Society
- 1030 Old Victoria Road: 59 new units operated by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
- 1298 Nelson Street (The Sparrow): 78 renovated units run by Pacifica Housing
According to the province, each site will offer individual rooms, shared amenities, meal and laundry services, and 24/7 on-site staff. The housing will also provide connections to programs supporting residents’ health and wellness.
Priority for the new spaces will go to people who are currently in shelters. Move-ins at the Island Highway location are expected to begin this spring, with the other two sites opening in summer 2025.
One of the people already benefiting from similar housing is Harold Wilson, a resident at Newcastle Place.
“Before, I was living in a shelter and really struggling with depression,” he said. “My favourite thing about living here is being able to visit with my granddaughter.”
This work is part of a broader agreement between the Province and the City of Nanaimo to expand housing options and reduce the number of people sheltering outdoors. That agreement also includes the reopening of Newcastle Place, a 50-unit temporary housing site at 250 Terminal Avenue.
Looking ahead, a rezoning application has been submitted for approximately 60 units of permanent supportive housing on McKenzie Avenue, next to the Old Victoria Road site.
In total, the Province says more than 1,800 homes have been delivered or are underway in Nanaimo since 2017, contributing to over 92,000 homes province-wide.
This initiative falls under B.C.’s Belonging in BC plan, which aims to provide more housing options and prevent homelessness across the province.
