B.C. to open self-contained supportive housing complex for people experiencing homelessness

These homes are first of four supportive house facilities that the province and the City of Nanaimo will create. The partnership will see community health workers embedded at the site and residents will have on-site services such as life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental health resources, as well as addiction-recovery services. One secured floor is reserved for vulnerable women and includes studio homes plus 14 shelter spaces to provide a bridge to permanent housing. There’s also a two-bedroom family unit to serve as an emergency shelter for women and their children on a short-term basis. The building will be managed by Island Crisis Care Society, which will have staff on-site 24 hours a day. The province provided a $15-million grant for the project.