Pod village to proceed

Originally set to open in October, persistent delays meant project prices increased, knocking the planned 30 pod homes down to 15.

Mayor Sharie Minions said the city and Port Alberni Friendship Centre have been working closely with BC Housing who have come through with an unprecedented half a million dollars to cover the remaining capital costs and complete the construction.

“It’s frustrating when we have the land, some work has been done but it takes a great deal of coordination to bring these projects to fruition,” she said. “I know that the Friendship Centre and other organizations who are supporting their work are working as fast as they can because we all recognize the dire need that exists right now.”

Minions said once the pods are in place, social service agencies can begin moving people out of the flimsy trailers next door and the city can move forward on shutting down the illegal encampment.

The Port Alberni Friendship Centre along with the city and BC Housing had hoped to have a new tiny homes project completed by last month to safely house those currently living in the illegal trailers, but as costs excalated over time, the project was delayed.

“We have made some significant progress on the tiny home, pod house village,” said Minions. “We’ve actually received about half a million dollars more in funding from BC Housing for capital funding that we were not anticipating. The project had a shortfall and that’s what the hold-up has been and now that project is fully funded and we’re really excited to be moving forward, so now it’s just how quickly can we get there.”

With winter approaching, and nightime temperatures dipping below the freezing mark, the homeless and poorly housed are the first to feel the effects.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the misuse of a heating appliance sparked last weekend’s fire in the 4th Avenue trailer lot, the third such fire in 2 years.

Minions said the first tiny homes should arrive on site next week.