Neighbours battle housing on two fronts in Nanaimo
Petitions oppose projects on Terminal, Labieux
A 536-name petition against locating supportive modular housing on Terminal Avenue in Nanaimo has been submitted to the province and to city hall.
A second online petition also opposed to modular supportive housing, this time on city property on Labieux Road, had gathered more than 1,413 names by late Tuesday.
Neighbours are fighting plans to open 170 housing units at those locations late this month. B.C. has spent $3.6 million to buy land at 250 Terminal Ave. and to purchase modular structures to create the housing units.
Nanaimo is experiencing a shortage of housing for homeless citizens. A tent city at 1 Port Dr. was established in May and estimates put its population at about 300 campers at times. The Supreme Court of B.C. said it must be closed by Nov. 30, when the supportive housing is to be available.
Many tenters have applied to live in the supportive housing.
The petition relating to Terminal Avenue went to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson. The Newcastle area neighbours say in the petition that they “oppose the unilateral decision” of the province to relocate tent city residents to Terminal Avenue. They ask that the province reverse its decision and find a more suitable site.
Concerns about drug paraphernalia and the safety of children are among top issues listed in the Change.org online petition opposed to supportive housing on Labieux Road, which is close to Beban Park.
Beban Park is the centre of Nanaimo recreational activities. Its many amenities include arenas, equestrian centre, indoor swimming pool, soccer fields, playground, tennis courts, BMX track, golf and an off-leash dog area.
Nanaimo is not alone in running into opposition to supportive housing for homeless people as the province tries to quickly provide shelter for thousands of people.
In Parksville, for example, a planned supportive housing development was approved by a split council. Opponents — including two newly elected members of council — subsequently launched a court case to quash the rezoning that allows the development.