Construction begins on tiny-shelter village in Port Alberni

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. — Construction has commenced on the first tiny-shelter village in Port Alberni.

The Walyaqil Tiny Shelter Village will feature 30 temporary modular housing pods for people experiencing homelessness in the Port Alberni area, amenity space, washrooms, an office, bicycle parking and two outdoor gathering spaces, according to a news release.

The village is part of a commitment between the Province of British Columbia, the Port Alberni Friendship Centre and the City of Port Alberni to provide more housing for vulnerable people.

The commitment also includes the construction of a future permanent supportive housing building and women’s second-stage transitional housing.

BC Housing is providing roughly $726,000 for the project and $850,000 in annual operating funding.

The City of Port Alberni provided land for the village, ongoing municipal utility expenses and a $165,000 grant.

The village will be operated by the Port Alberni Friendship Centre which also contributed $226,000.

Expected construction completion is early 2023. The village is located at 3665, 3675 and 3689 4^th Ave.

“We are eternally grateful to be one step closer to providing a safe place for those most in need that they can call home,” said executive director of the Friendship Centre, Cyndi Stevens, in the release.