Housing project to support victims of violence in Campbell River

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.—Work has begun on specialized housing to support women and children who have been victims of violence in B.C.

Crews are building the 55-unit women’s housing project in Campbell River. 

“This new development will give women and their dependent children leaving abusive situations in Campbell River another safe housing option, where they can find stability, security and access to support services,” said Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island, in a press release. “I am grateful to our community partners for working with us on these vital and much-needed new homes. When we come together and support one another, we can build a safer and healthier community for everyone.”

Eagle Harbour, a five-storey development, will have 34 units of second-stage housing, providing short-term housing with onsite supports, and 21 units of affordable rental housing for women, including transgender women, non-binary and two-spirit people, who need a permanent place to stay.

The building will have a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Amenities will include a secure outdoor children’s play area and raised garden beds, as well as a covered bike and scooter storage.

“The start of this work represents another important step forward to providing much-needed affordable housing for the community of Campbell River,” said Andy Adams, mayor of the City of Campbell River. “The project is based on strong partnerships with BC Housing and the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society. The development will be a welcome addition to the area and provide housing close to downtown and community amenities.”

The building will be overseen by the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society (CRNITS). The Campbell River Women’s Resource Centre, which is associated with CRNITs, will lease the ground-floor commercial space, offering peer support, crisis counselling and poverty-reduction services to residents and the community. 

“We are extremely excited to have construction beginning on Eagle Harbour,” said Valery Puetz, executive director of CRNITS. “When complete, this project will help us provide a continuum of services and housing for women and families — from emergency shelter through medium-term transitional programs to permanent housing. We are very grateful to BC Housing for funding this project and the City of Campbell River for their ongoing support contributions to the project.”

The project is being funded through the Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund, a $734-million investment over 10 years to build and operate 1,500 transition housing, second-stage housing and long-term housing spaces for women and children leaving violence.

Rental rates will be capped at 30 per cent of the resident’s income or the provincial shelter rate for those who are receiving income or disability assistance. Construction is slated to wrap up in fall 2023.