A new building with 40 temporary units and supports is coming to help people experiencing homelessness in Campbell River.
Called HEARTH Village, the new building will be located at 1299 Homewood Road. The currently vacant land is adjacent to Nunns Creek Park. The building will have individual units for as many as 40 people to sleep and store their belongings. It will also have a shared amenity space and washrooms. The site will be staffed by a non-profit, and they will provide support services, daily meals, access to skills training, as well as referrals to health care and community supports.
“People sheltering outdoors need a safe space to sleep, and through our new Homelessness Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program, we’re providing that option along with basic amenities,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “We will continue to work with the City of Campbell River and other municipalities throughout the province to develop more housing options so people in our communities have options to move indoors.”
HEARTH Village was a concept started by the City of Campbell River and supported by the Table of Partners, which included the Downtown Campbell River Business Improvement Association and service providers.
The province will be providing funding for the project, and the City of Campbell River is providing the land for the project, and funding civil works and site preparation costs.
“I’m excited that our government is partnering with the City of Campbell River for the creation of HEARTH Village,” said Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island. “This project was first proposed at the Union of BC Municipalities conference in September 2023, and I’m proud of how quickly we’ve been able to move from concept to construction. This project also couldn’t have happened without the support of Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside and local community members.”
The site is expected to be open in mid-2024.
Campbell River has an urgent need to serve people who are experiencing homelessness and to help address encampments and associated challenges in our community,” said Kermit Dahl, Mayor of Campbell River. “In keeping with city council’s commitment to community health and safety, our partnership with the Province will reduce some of the challenges our community is experiencing and will provide new, safe housing options.”
A provincial release says that the project is part of their $19-billion housing investment, and that approximately 280 homes have been created in Campbell River with help from the province since 2017.
The 2023 Point in Time Homeless Count found that 197 people were experiencing homelessness in Campbell River, a 66 per cent increase from the previous count in 2021.
An open house is planned for the project on March 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Campbell River community centre. RSVP at hearth-village-open-house.eventbrite.ca.