Women's housing project 'needed now more than ever', public meeting hears

This article was written by Sean Eckford and was published by Coast Reporter May 25, 2020
To read the full article, click here.

Neighbourhood security, water, and how tenants will be chosen were the top questions during an online public information session on the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society’s (SCCSS) proposed housing project in Sechelt.

Councillors in Sechelt gave first reading in April to the zoning amendments needed for SCCSS to build the 34-unit housing complex at its site at 5638 Inlet Ave.

The SCCSS project already meets the Official Community Plan criteria for that part of Sechelt, and the need for a zoning amendment was triggered by the six-storey height of the building and the extra density.

The $18-million complex is intended to provide affordable, long-term housing for women and children and will have the financial backing of BC Housing. The society is also planning a capital campaign that could potentially raise $4 million to $6 million of that $18-million total.

The SCCSS application was the first in Sechelt to have an information session since provincial health authorities imposed restrictions that made it impossible to hold in-person meetings.

SCCSS executive director Catherine Leach opened the May 20 meeting by saying that the society had considered putting the project on pause during the pandemic, but decided against it.

“COVID-19 has highlighted for us how important it is now more than ever for our community to have safe, affordable and dignified housing for women and children, and spaces for our community to access the support and connection they need in good times and difficult times,” Leach said.

“We also recognize that this project will play an important role in restarting the economy and creating opportunities for employment, in the aftermath of COVID-19.”

On the question of how tenants will be chosen, Leach said a full list of qualifications for prospective tenants will be posted about nine months before the move-in date.

“What I can tell you right now is that qualifications include: you have to meet the annual income limits set up by the province; … you need to be female; you need to be able to live independently; you need to live on the Sunshine Coast, or if you lived on the Sunshine Coast and you had to leave to find housing but your connections, your family are here, you also qualify,” explained Leach. “And we are looking for people who are interested in living here who want to create community.”

Leach was also asked about how the non-residential space would be used. She said there are no plans to have commercial or retail tenants and that it would be used strictly for the Community Services Society as office space and to host the various programs it delivers.

 Neighbourhood security, water, and how tenants will be chosen were the top questions during an online public information session on the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society’s (SCCSS) proposed housing project in Sechelt.

Councillors in Sechelt gave first reading in April to the zoning amendments needed for SCCSS to build the 34-unit housing complex at its site at 5638 Inlet Ave.

The SCCSS project already meets the Official Community Plan criteria for that part of Sechelt, and the need for a zoning amendment was triggered by the six-storey height of the building and the extra density.

The $18-million complex is intended to provide affordable, long-term housing for women and children and will have the financial backing of BC Housing. The society is also planning a capital campaign that could potentially raise $4 million to $6 million of that $18-million total.

The SCCSS application was the first in Sechelt to have an information session since provincial health authorities imposed restrictions that made it impossible to hold in-person meetings.

SCCSS executive director Catherine Leach opened the May 20 meeting by saying that the society had considered putting the project on pause during the pandemic, but decided against it.

“COVID-19 has highlighted for us how important it is now more than ever for our community to have safe, affordable and dignified housing for women and children, and spaces for our community to access the support and connection they need in good times and difficult times,” Leach said.

“We also recognize that this project will play an important role in restarting the economy and creating opportunities for employment, in the aftermath of COVID-19.”

On the question of how tenants will be chosen, Leach said a full list of qualifications for prospective tenants will be posted about nine months before the move-in date.

“What I can tell you right now is that qualifications include: you have to meet the annual income limits set up by the province; … you need to be female; you need to be able to live independently; you need to live on the Sunshine Coast, or if you lived on the Sunshine Coast and you had to leave to find housing but your connections, your family are here, you also qualify,” explained Leach. “And we are looking for people who are interested in living here who want to create community.”

Leach was also asked about how the non-residential space would be used. She said there are no plans to have commercial or retail tenants and that it would be used strictly for the Community Services Society as office space and to host the various programs it delivers.