Women and their children could soon move into safer housing, as 47 new spaces will be built in Nanaimo.
According to the province, the four-Storey building will have 30 second-stage housing units with a bathroom and kitchen, 10 rooms with 17 beds for short-term stays, three second-stage units and a room that is wheelchair accessible.
The goal of these spaces is to provide safety and security for those affected by gender-based violence, and the new building is set to replace an older home run by Haven Society.
Mayor Leonard Krog says gender-based violence is a very serious issue and continues to affect the community.
“Haven will be in a position now with the new facility once completed, to deliver their services even more effectively,” said Krog.
“We are certainly supportive of what they are doing, and we will make sure that the necessary permitting gets accomplished quickly, because we do understand the need for this.”
The province adds that once the building has been constructed, Haven will move the services from the older building to the new one, which includes a kitchen, amenity room and expanded programming spaces.
Krog says he hopes that this project reminds people in the community that gender-based violence is still a real issue.
“People need to both pay attention and be supportive of and be prepared to step in to bring the numbers down,” said Krog.
“We all hope for a perfect world where there won’t be the need for these kinds of transition houses.”
He also hopes to see community members encouraged to donate, volunteer, provide support for any programs related to gender-based violence, while being prepared to speak out.
Construction of the new building is scheduled to finish in the fall of next year.
