Project involves a partnership between three nonprofits and will offer 41 individual units, 24/7 support presence
Construction will begin this summer on a supportive housing project in Nanaimo to be jointly operated by Columbian Centre, Haven Society, and Nanaimo Affordable Housing. Nanaimo Affordable Housing will build, own and maintain the building, Columbian Centre will provide 24-hour housing support workers and Haven will provide an additional layer of services on the floor of the building dedicated to women fleeing violent situations (more at Nanaimo News Bulletin).
Representatives from all three organizations spoke about the project at Columbian Centre’s annual general meeting on June 24, 2014, stressing the need for the housing provided in the project; they also spoke to the uniqueness of and opportunities offered by their partnership.
The building will house low-income male and females (over 18) with complex needs including those struggling with mental illness and addictions issues. A strong emphasis will be given to serving women who are struggling with chronic homelessness issues.
Jim Spinelli, of Nanaimo Affordable Housing, said that housing for families in need has become more readily available due to B.C. government subsidies, but that housing for homeless or hard-to-house single people continues to be in short supply. The Boundary Crescent project addresses that need directly.
We share comments by Barnabas Walther, Columbian Centre executive director, Anne Taylor, Haven Society executive director, and Jim Spinelli, Nanaimo Affordable Housing executive director.
RELATED | City of Nanaimo: Boundary Crescent Project | Nanaimo News Bulletin: Boundary social housing project going forward (March 21, 2013) | Nanaimo Daily News: Some residents remain unhappy with social housing project (October 18, 2013) |
Jim Spinelli, Anne Taylor, Barnabas Walther
CCS Annual General Meeting June 2014
