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According to BC Housing, construction of the 40-unit modular supportive housing project at Hightide Avenue and Lamprey Lane in Sechelt is on schedule. The three-storey, $7 million project is expected to be complete by the end of March.
The 40-unit supportive housing project on Hightide Ave. in Sechelt is going up quickly, and may be ready for tenants in April. Connie Jordison photo
Work at the site started in early January. The structure of the first two floors has been assembled. Portions of the third storey have been craned into place. The rest of the modular construction units were scheduled to arrive by Feb. 19.
“While the cold weather and snowy conditions have slowed craning the modular units into place and have made transportation to the site more challenging, these delays have not impacted the construction timeline,” said Laura Mathews, senior communications advisor with BC Housing.
There are about 20 individuals working at the project site. This will likely increase to around 30 once interior finishing work starts.
When the final batch of modular units arrive at the site, 95 per cent of the structure assembly will be complete. Crews will then move on to the electrical, plumbing, interior finishing, exterior finishing, parking lot, surfacing, sidewalk and road development work.
Once completed, the site will then be handed over to RainCity Housing, who will manage day to day operations. This will include 24 hours a day staffing and providing daily meal services for residents. Tenants are anticipated to move into the compact (32 square metres or 344 square feet) suites in April.
Construction of the new facility got the go-ahead from Sechelt council on Dec. 19. Amendments were adopted to allow for the construction of five times as many units on the site as would have been permitted under existing Official Community Plan and zoning bylaws. Council also provided an exception to its noise bylaw, allowing crews to work until 7pm, as well as on weekends. This was requested by BC Housing to help the project proceed on schedule.
The project is part of a program that will see $291 million invested in BC to build 2,000 affordable market rental, non-profit, co-operative, supported social housing and owner-purchase housing units.
“Through this program, we are committed to providing opportunities to help people throughout the province change their lives. The Hightide Avenue homes will give residents in Sechelt who are experiencing homelessness a stable home so they can get back on their feet,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Connie Jordison
