Construction begins on transitional housing project in Courtenay

Construction begins on transitional housing project in Courtenay
CHEK

Transitional housing is coming to the Comox Valley.

The B.C. government says construction has begun on a three-storey 40-unit transitional housing building in Courtenay.

The building will have a mixture of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, as well as five fully wheelchair-accessible units. There will also be a secure outdoor children’s play area.

Once completed, it will provide second-stage housing for women, including transgender women, as well as non-binary and Two-Spirit people and children fleeing violence.

“This new housing will help people in Courtenay break the cycle of abuse, stabilize their lives and get a fresh start,” Grace Lore, Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, said in a press release, adding.

“Our government is committed to investing in transitional housing around the province and I’m thankful to our project partners for answering the call to help. Together, we are making a critical difference for women and their families.”

Second-stage housing is short-term accommodation that has on-site supports for women and their dependent children who have had to flee due to violence. Residents typically live in the units for six to 18 months before moving to more permanent housing, according to the province.

The building will be managed by the Comox Valley Transition Society (CVTS), which provides support services such as life-skills training, crisis counselling and poverty-reduction services to women and children living in the homes.

“The Comox Valley Transition Society is pleased to see this much-needed second-stage housing for women and their dependent children underway,” said Heather Ney, executive director, CVTS.

“This housing will increase the safety of those experiencing intimate partner violence and sexual assault, and will provide a place to land after an urgent stay at the transition house.”

Funding for the project comes from the provincial government’s Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund, which they say is a $734-million investment over 10 years to build and operate 1,500 transition housing, second-stage housing, and long-term housing spaces for women and children leaving violence.

Construction on the new building is expected to be completed in 2023.

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