Pacifica Selected To Operate 35 Units of Supported Housing in Nanaimo, BC

Operators selected for two projects - Darrell Bellaart - Daily News
Thursday, December 01, 2011

Operators have been chosen for a pair of controversial social housing facilities in Nanaimo.

Columbian Centre Society and Haven Society will operate the facility at 1612 Dufferin Cr. while Pacifica Housing Society will operate the 6025 Uplands Dr. site. The Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society will manage the Dufferin Crescent building.

The buildings will be built with provincial funding on land provided by the city as part of Nanaimo's ambitious plan to house the homeless.

An advocacy group called the Concerned Citizens of Nanaimo fought against the Uplands facility, but operators say residents shouldn't fear drug use and crime from their new neighbours. The buildings will be staffed 24 hours a day.

Tenants will be men and women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, including some with mental illness and addictions. There is no requirement to be clean and sober to get housing.

"It will be low-barrier housing for the chronically homeless and people will not have to be abstinent in order to move in there," said Karyn French, Pacifica Housing Society executive director. "We work with support plans to help people improve their lives and conditions, and most people address whatever their issues are."

Pacifica operates 140 units of supported housing, including Camas Gardens, a 44-unit facility that houses 50 tenants in Victoria. It is said to be comparable to the one proposed for Uplands.

"It's very important for us to be good neighbours," French said. Like the Uplands facility, Camas Gardens has a seniors' care home next door and is in a upscale urban neighbourhood.

Tenants will have rules they must follow, including no substance abuse or improper behaviour in public, but "whatever people do in the privacy of their own homes, like all of us, is their own business," French said.

The CCN will continue to push for a say in the project.

"I don't think we can say we're done," said Bill Inglis, CCN spokesman. "I think we'll form a kind of lobby group that hopefully works with the city, that we can get an audience with the provincial government and discuss what our concerns are."

Columbia Society operates several facilities in Nanaimo with no problems.

"Anyone who lives in these buildings will be signing a landlord-tenant agreement and people will largely be required to fulfil their responsibilities signing such an agreement," said Tom Grauman, executive director.

None of the operators chosen came as a surprise.

"They're experienced, capable operators and we're pleased to have them on board," said Nanaimo social planner John Horn.

Construction of between 35 and 40 units, for a total of up to 80 new units, is expected to start in early 2013. The completed facilities are expected to connect people with the services and supports they need to stabilize and regain their independence.

With the non-profit groups now chosen, the province, city and the societies will develop plans for community consultation, design and programs to be offered at the facilities.

DBellaart@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235

© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2011