The Province is putting $7.5 million into new shelter beds and supportive housing units in Port Alberni.
Mid-Island Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser made the announcement yesterday in the middle of the large field on 8th Avenue across from the current shelter.
Port Alberni Shelter Society executive director Wes Hewitt said he’s been working on the project for more than a decade
The complex will have 30 self-contained supportive housing units, 20 permanent shelter spaces, and extreme weather shelter space.
The project is not without detractors however, as during the announcement of the major project, one neighbour wandered across the open 8th Avenue lot yesterday to raise her concerns with politicians
Dee Charlton said she and many of her neighbours were never consulted.
Port Alberni Shelter Society executive director Wes Hewitt said there were three consultation sessions 3 1/2 years ago, which wasn’t required since the lot is owned by Island Health and already zoned for similar projects.
Hewitt says the former shelter will hopefully be redeveloped into independent seniors housing.
He says the new complex should be open before the end of the year