New purpose-built supportive housing units previously announced in Nanaimo will operate as recovery-oriented housing.
The City of Nanaimo and local MLAs made the announcement at city hall on Sept. 3, saying the 50 units at 250 Bryden St., formerly known as 250 Terminal Ave., will break ground next year.
“If this question was put in front of me five or eight years ago, I would have said no, we need to have low barrier housing – we don’t yet have enough supportive housing at that time in Nanaimo that we could be exclusive. We really need to meet people where they are,” said Nanaimo-Gabriola Island MLA Sheila Malcolmson. “At this point now, the substantial stable of supportive housing and affordable housing options in Nanaimo, we are now at the place that we can diversify and that was the foundation of my support of council’s proposal.”
Malcolmson said she credits city council’s advocacy for getting the housing units changed from low-barrier to recovery-focused.
“The city has been advocating this for some time but it wasn’t met with acceptance right off the bat and let’s face it – government is under enormous pressure dealing with 30-40 years of failed social and health policy,” said Mayor Leonard Krog. “No party, no politician, no British Columbian can step back and say we don’t have some responsibility for this. Whether by our failure to acknowledge, our failure to participate, our failure to support – this is a societal issue. It is a societal issue across this country.”
A news release from the province says the decision was made after considering the existing range of low-barrier housing and shelter options in Nanaimo.
“By creating spaces for people who are ready to move into recovery-oriented housing, we are also helping to make other spaces available for people who need different kinds of support,” said Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle. “This housing will support people in recovery from substance use who have been at risk of homelessness or experienced homelessness and need additional support to stay housed and who want to reduce their exposure to drugs and alcohol. Residents may access health and recovery services in the community, with housing staff supporting connections to and co-ordination with these services.”
