A 40-unit supportive housing facility in Campbell River is up and running not far from a municipal park that used to host a tent encampment.
The temporary Homewood supportive housing project is just a short walk away from Nunn Creek Park, which saw several significant city cleanups in 2023 due to overnight campers.
Residents began moving into the five prefabricated eight-plexes that had been set up at 1299 Homewood Rd. on Nov. 21. The project is expected to operate for three years while the province, B.C. Housing and the city build more permanent supportive housing sites in the region.
The eight-building complex has on-site washrooms, showers, laundry and a dining hall operated by the Lookout Housing and Health Society. It has an annual operating fund of about $1.8 million.
The organization is providing around-the-clock on-site staffing, as well as daily meals, skills training and other services for residents.
In a Friday statement announcing Homewood’s opening, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said the homes would allow people sheltering outdoors to access the supports they need to stabilize their lives.
People who have stayed in local shelters and encampments and have lived in the Campbell River area for at least two years are being prioritized for shelter at the site.
Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl said Homewood represents a important step in addressing homelessness in the city.
“Providing safe housing options and support services for people experiencing homelessness is one way Campbell River city council is enhancing health and safety for all residents,” he said in a statement.
When the facility was first announced in February, Dahl said he hoped the pre-fabricated facility would be operating as early as May 1.
The property at 1299 Homewood Rd. is owned by the City of Campbell River, which is leasing the land to the province for a nominal fee.
The city funded all civil works and site preparation costs, while the buildings were built by B.C. Housing for about $2.4 million.
Homewood was originally named HEARTH Village, after the province’s HEARTH program, which stands for Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing program.
A point-in-time count conducted in the city last year found 197 people in Campbell River were experiencing homelessness, up from 116 in 2021.
