BC’s Ministry of Housing has announced a new housing project in Nanaimo that will give women and their children fleeing violence a safe place to stay.
This four-storey transitional and second-stage housing will offer a total of 47 safe spaces—including 30 self-contained second-stage housing units and 10 rooms with a total of 17 transition beds for short-term stays.
The second-stage housing units will have their own bathrooms and kitchen and all occupants will have access to services to help rebuild independence, including support groups, system navigation, and individualized assistance.
Three of the second-stage housing units and one transition room will be wheelchair accessible.
Also available to residents will be a communal kitchen, amenity room, and expanded programming spaces.
“Safe housing is fundamental for women, gender-diverse people, and their children who are reshaping their lives after experiencing violence or trauma,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing.
“These new safe spaces will be instrumental in providing safety, security and peace of mind for families across Nanaimo.”
Haven Society, which supports adults and children leaving gender-based violence, will be operating this new building—set to replace an aging 17-unit transition home that they’re operating.
After construction is complete, all services and programming offered at the old Haven Society home will be transferred to the new one.
The new building will also offer a more optimal location, as it is close to public parks and a public recreation centre.
“No one should feel unsafe in their home and their community. Yet too many women and gender-diverse people continue to face obstacles after leaving intimate-partner violence,” said Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity.
“These new transition and second-stage homes will offer much-needed support through programming and living arrangements to survivors and their children as they work to rebuild their lives in a safe and compassionate space.”
The expected completion date for this project is fall 2024 and is a part of a $19-billion housing investment by the BC government.
Since 2017, it’s said that the Province has more than 77,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including more than 1,600 homes in Nanaimo.
