40 residents have been rehomed in Campbell River as part of a downtown project.
On Friday, the city issued an update for Reimagine the Row, a project aimed at revitalizing the downtown area, increasing livability, and animating the streets by buying three properties and redeveloping them into rental housing.
The properties are Harbourside Inn, a vacant lot at 1352 Shoppers Row, and a commercial building at 1362 Shoppers Row, which were all bought late last year.
In the update, the city, along with BC Housing and Island Health finished vulnerability assessments for all Harbourside Inn tenants to give them housing that better reflects their needs.
The city says out of 45 tenants, 40 have been rehomed.
“There are five tenants remaining, the majority of which are currently in the process of transitioning to long-term care or supportive housing,” said the city.
“Many relocated residents are experiencing improved living conditions, including better on-site supports, such as accommodating mobility needs and locations that are more desirable, such as housing closer to family members, essential services and community amenities.”
They add the rehoming is because the Inn’s units didn’t offer the services needed for its tenants, who are either low-income seniors or those with complex care needs.
Mayor Kermit Dahl says the project is a big step forward for the community, adding he and council are looking forward to improving the downtown.
Next steps for the project include a dinner program where you’ll get sandwiches and wraps this summer, free access to showers at the Community Centre, and $5,000 to be invested to vouchers for local laundromats.
The city expects to both announce a development partner for the project and to demolish all three properties sometime this summer.
