A ground-breaking ceremony for the long-awaited Braidwood housing complex in east Courtenay is expected this month.
Site prep has begun at 810 Braidwood Rd., which will include about 34 units of affordable, supportive housing.
“This is a project that’s seven years in the making,” Coun. Doug Hillian said Monday at Courtenay council. “This is housing for our vulnerable citizens.”
The City purchased the Braidwood property several years ago for $264,500 after selling a trio of lots at Cliffe Avenue for $355,000. The regional district had purchased the Cliffe Avenue properties for $470,000 in 2010 for emergency shelter/supportive housing purposes. Some neighboring businesses did not like the idea. Later, the CVRD transferred ownership of the properties to the City, along with $100,000 from the Vancouver Island Health Authority to develop the project elsewhere.
In 2016, a $3 million contribution from the B.C. government paved the way for the project, which is intended to house tenants who are at-risk of homelessness. December is the expected occupancy date.
The M’akola Group of Societies and the Wachiay Friendship Centre are joint project sponsors for a five-year term.