Work has finally begun on BC Housing’s 48-unit supportive housing project on White Road in Duncan.
BC Housing has announced that construction workers from Nomodic Modular will be on-site beginning Nov. 15 to start building the new housing development for people at risk or experiencing homelessness in Duncan.
When completed, which is expected this summer, the facility will provide supportive housing for women, Indigenous youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, who are precariously housed or unhoused and dealing with multiple barriers.
It’s the second of a two-part strategy by BC Housing to construct supportive housing projects in the Cowichan Valley.
The modular units for its 51-unit housing project on Drinkwater Road were put in place last month, and that project is expected to be completed by late winter or early spring in 2022.
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Community partners Cowichan Women Against Violence Society, Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship) Society and Clements Centre Society said in a statement that they are excited that construction of the White Road facility has begun.
Jan Bate, executive director of CWAV, said increasing numbers of women in the Cowichan Valley need security, stability, and nurturing in the community to be successful in their housing.
“CWAVS is grateful to be working with BC Housing and community partners to support systemic change in the housing crisis.,” Bate said. “The social and health benefits of secure housing bring so much more to our community than the income housing can produce.
Dianne Hinton, CEO of Clements Centre Society, added that the society envisions a community in which all individuals are included, valued, and celebrated.
“By providing a safe home for community members with developmental disabilities who face multiple barriers to housing, the project at White Road offers hope, belonging, and independence,” she said.
Loretta Hopkins, program coordinator for the Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship) Society, said the society is very proud and appreciative to help reduce a barrier that will bring independence, improved quality of life and ability for an individual to pursue personal goals.
“Many Aboriginals have had to face racism from landlords and community which never allowed them to obtain a safe affordable place to live,” she said.
“This will allow an Aboriginal person to be self-reliant, to receive a sense of community and receive a Cultural connection with a helping hand to get their strength, grow and become healthy to live their best life.”