New 51-unit supportive housing building opens in Nanaimo

A new supportive housing building has finished construction in Nanaimo and will offer 24/7 services for people at risk of homelessness, according to the province.

The 51-unit building, called Cornerstone, is located at 285 Prideaux St. and will be operated by Connective Nanaimo.

The facility will offer residents two meals a day, laundry services, employment assistance, counselling and referrals to other services, among other programs, according to the province.

“We are deeply honoured to assist in ensuring people experiencing homelessness in our community have access to safe and secure housing,” said Susan Clift, chair of Connective Nanaimo in a release Friday.

“Stable housing is a foundational component of addressing barriers and assisting people in achieving independence, and we are eager to support everyone here.”

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Cornerstone is expected to open to residents in early May. Current residents of the Newcastle Place temporary housing building will be given priority for moving in.

Each of the 51 units at Cornerstone features a private washroom, shower, kitchenette and full-size fridge. Four of the units are also wheelchair accessible.

The supportive housing building cost approximately $12.4 million to build, and the province will provide an annual $1.5 million for operating costs moving forward.

The City of Nanaimo also provided the land for the building on a long-term lease for a nominal fee, according to the B.C. government.

The new Cornerstone building is the second of four supportive housing buildings to open in Nanaimo. that the province promised to build back in 2019.

The first of the four buildings, called Samaritan Place, opened in March 2022.

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