The B.C. government has announced construction for on-campus housing for North Island College will begin in the fall.
This will be the first on-campus housing for the college, and there will be a total of 217 beds to be built.
The project is estimated to cost $65.9 million with $57.3 million provided by the government, $6.6 million from the BC Student Housing Loan Program, and $2 million provided by North Island College.
The Housing Commons includes 157 individual and 60 family-specific options at the Comox Valley campus in Courtenay.
“We know students need access to affordable housing so they can commit to their studies without the worry of where to call home during the school year. This project will help so many people and I am really excited about the inclusion of dedicated spaces for families,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “This project is part of our Homes for BC plan, which includes building 8,000 new student beds by 2028.”
Kang says including the housing at North Island College, the province is 75 per cent of the way to meeting the goal to build new student beds.
The housing will be built as two four-storey buildings, which options of two-bedroom family student housing, quad-housing and studio apartments for individual students. The quad-housing will have individual bedrooms with shared living spaces.
Nine of the units will be accessible for people with disabilities, and both buildings include common areas such as interfaith rooms, a community food garden, play areas and outdoor gathering spaces.
Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox says the Comox Valley has a vacancy rate of 1.3 per cent, and many students need rental housing while they pursue their studies.
“This project will have such a positive impact on their learning experience and on housing availability for all residents,” Leonard said.
The project is estimated to be complete in fall 2024.
Laura Brougham
