Land purchased in Courtenay for housing, shelter

More help for people experiencing homelessness in Courtenay is on the way now that the province has purchased land for a proposed supportive-housing facility and overnight shelter.

“The City of Courtenay is thankful to the province and B.C. Housing for their continued efforts to provide much-needed permanent shelter and supportive housing,” said Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells, adding that an existing facility at the Connect Centre has always been a temporary measure.

“The proposed development application for the newly purchased property will be a top priority for council and staff, and we look forward to working with B.C. Housing and social-service providers to address this significant need in our community.”

The purchase is a property at 925 Braidwood Ave, where plans are in the works for 60 residential units and a shelter with about 40 beds. Added space for extreme-weather use is also planned.

The province contributed $4 million for the land through the Supportive Housing Fund. Rezoning will be required for the project to go ahead.

Construction is scheduled to start in early 2025, and B.C. Housing will be contacting area businesses and other neighbours this spring before the rezoning to let them know more about what is envisioned.

“The cycle of homelessness is not linear,” said Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.

“By providing people options through supportive housing and shelter spaces, we are ensuring that people have a safe space to go and access to the resources they need.”

Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard said the community worked hard to find a location for a shelter site.

The largely undeveloped site is adjacent to the Comox Valley RCMP detachment building and is close to a commercial area off Ryan Road.

A 143-unit, four-storey seniors’ residence had been proposed for the lot as recently as 2018.

The 2023 Comox Valley homeless count found that the number of people without homes had more than doubled since 2020, jumping from 132 to 272.

There are currently three shelters in Courtenay and none in Comox or Cumberland.

A temporary overnight emergency shelter was opened at the Native Sons Hall this winter.

Courtenay Salvation Army and the Connect Warming Centre can handle fewer than 100 people combined.

Most of the people who were interviewed in the homeless count had lived in the area for more than five years.