Building new supportive homes, shelter for people in Courtenay

Courtenay - 925 Braidwood

70 new homes, 73 shelter beds on the way to Comox Valley

Summary

  • Supportive homes and a purpose-built shelter are being built for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Courtenay
  • The supportive homes will be operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society
  • The shelter will be operated by Connective

COURTENAY - People experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Courtenay will soon have access to new indoor spaces with construction underway on a development at 925 and 933 Braidwood Rd.

"This project is an important part of a collaborative and continued effort to address the urgent need to offer safe, indoor shelter to people experiencing homelessness in Courtenay and the surrounding area," said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. "These new supportive homes and purpose-built shelter will provide safe places for people to come indoors, making the community stronger and safer for everyone."

The new homes and shelter spaces will be in two separate buildings:

  • a four-storey building that will provide long-term supportive housing for residents
  • a two-storey shelter where people sheltering outside can come indoors to sleep, eat, shower and connect with community services

About the supportive housing

The supportive housing building at 925 Braidwood Rd. will have 70 self-contained, furnished studio units, each with a private bathroom and a kitchenette with a full-sized refrigerator.
There will also be a dining room, shared amenity room and office space in the building. Rent will be geared to income and aligned with the provincial shelter allowance with residents paying as much as $500 a month.

Lookout Housing and Health Society will operate the supportive housing. Society staff will be on site to support residents with daily meals, access to life skills and employment training, health supports and connections to community services.

The supportive housing is expected to open in early 2028.

About the shelter

The shelter at 933 Braidwood Rd. will provide 73 shelter beds with space to add as many as 30 more mats in an amenity space during inclement weather. A flexible multi-purpose area will be used for meetings and programs.

Connective will operate the shelter and have at least three staff on site 24/7. Shelter guests will have access to a cot, daily meals, washrooms and laundry facilities, as well as access to personalized case planning and referrals to health care, housing and other community services. Shelter services are free.

The shelter is expected to open in spring 2028.

This work is part of the Province's Belonging in B.C. plan to help prevent homelessness and bring more people indoors quickly. Since 2017, the Province has more than 99,000 homes delivered or underway in communities throughout B.C., including nearly 1,000 in the Comox Valley Regional District.

Quotes:

Bob Wells, mayor of Courtenay -

"We are grateful to see construction begin on this much-needed project for Courtenay and the Comox Valley. Safe shelter and supportive housing can make a real difference in people's lives. This work is possible because of strong partnerships between the Province, BC Housing, the city, Lookout, Connective and many local organizations working every day to support our community."

Shayne Williams, chief executive officer, Lookout Housing and Health Society -

"Supportive housing is about creating stability, dignity and connection. These 70 homes will give people a safe place to rebuild their lives with the supports they need to succeed. We know that when people have housing and community, health outcomes improve and neighbourhoods grow stronger. We are proud to partner on a project that brings lasting change to the Comox Valley."

James Crowe, chief administrative officer, Connective -

"Connective is proud to work with BC Housing and the City of Courtenay to operate this purpose-built, year-round shelter. We look forward to creating a safe, welcoming space that provides service users with dignity, access to supports, and integrated services and security, benefiting them and the community. By offering consistent, year-round supports, people can stay connected to services and move toward stable housing, and we're proud to bring our experience supporting people across Vancouver Island to Courtenay."

Quick Facts:

  • The Province, through BC Housing, is providing:
    • $4.4 million to purchase the land
    • almost $22 million through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund for the supportive housing building 
    • almost $17 million through the Building BC: Housing Action Plan Enhanced for the shelter building
    • annual operating funding will be determined closer to opening
  • The City of Courtenay is providing $157,000 in development-cost reductions.

Learn More:

Contacts
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
[email protected]
BC Housing
Media Relations
[email protected]