L’Arche Comox Valley intends to construct further housing for adults with developmental disabilities who are able to live semi-independently, and for low-income seniors.
The non-profit — which has operated in Courtenay for 20 years — opened the I Belong Centre in 2017 at 1465 Grieve Ave. The multi-purpose complex houses seven individuals, including a residential co-ordinator.
The City of Courtenay will provide L’Arche with a letter to support an application for funding to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to build another affordable housing complex.
“They do have a project in mind,” Coun. Doug Hillian said at the April 14 meeting. “The letter that is provided (in the council agenda) is essentially an endorsement of their aims and objectives, and the city’s partnership with that organization in encouraging the development of affordable housing for the client group that they serve.”
L’Arche is applying for $5,000 to pay for architectural drawings, re-zoning and geo-technical surveys.
“We bought the property last September and it is just down the street from the I Belong Centre,” executive director Christine Monier said. “We hope to build an affordable apartment complex of 15-20 units for people with developmental disabilities and low-income seniors.”
The letter states: ‘The City has identified support for housing diversity and advocacy for affordable housing among its strategic priorities, based on a serious housing shortage across the spectrum, but particularly among vulnerable populations. As such, the City is committed to working with community partners such as L’Arche to increase the supply of affordable housing.’