OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW TEMPORARY HOUSING ON HOMEWOOD ROAD

The City of Campbell River and BC Housing are holding an open house so community members can learn more about the temporary housing coming to 1299 Homewood Road and meet the operator.

Lookout Housing and Health Society, the selected operator of the site, will be on hand to answer questions.

“We are pleased to welcome Lookout into Campbell River and value their contribution to the creation of a safe space for community members in urgent need of housing,” said Kermit Dahl, City of Campbell River Mayor. “Having a trusted operator in place for Homewood is a key step in the work we are doing with BC Housing to address the cycle of homelessness in our community, and the work we are doing as a Council to create a healthy and safe community for all.”

Established in 1971, Lookout is a non-profit charitable organization that provides a range of housing and health solutions to vulnerable adults living with multiple challenges. Lookout serves 22 municipalities in Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland and has been operating The Village, a tiny home community in Duncan, since 2022.

“Lookout is thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with the residents of Campbell River to share our vision for Homewood, and our successes with the "tiny home" program,” said Shayne Williams, CEO of Lookout Housing and Health Society. “This unique program will create opportunities for Campbell River residents experiencing homelessness to begin their journey to stabilization and wellness, with the goal of working towards securing housing. Under Lookout's leadership, Homewood will strive to become a valuable local resource through added safety measures, resident empowerment and community engagement.”

Lookout will oversee day-to-day operations of the site, which will include 24/7 on-site staff and support services such as peer support, skills training and assistance with navigating the housing system.

“This new temporary housing will help create a healthier and safer Campbell River, where vulnerable people can access the services and supports they need, surrounded by a community they know and trust,” said Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island. “Our government is proud to be working with the City of Campbell River and Lookout to support Homewood and we look forward to sharing more details about the site with the community.”

The open house will take place on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Maritime Heritage Centre (Rotary Hall) at 621 Island Hwy. Community members who wish to attend the drop-in open house are encouraged to RSVP via https://homewood-september-open-house.eventbrite.ca.

About the Project

Homewood (previously referred to as HEARTH Village) will have 40 sleeping units, with access to a shared amenity space and washrooms. Residents will be selected through a Coordinated Access and Assessment process that will:

• Place some of the people who have been staying in community shelters into temporary housing with supports, which will help free up shelter beds for those sleeping outside or in encampments; and
• Prioritize people from the local community.

The City of Campbell River owns the property at 1299 Homewood Road. This site was chosen for temporary housing because it is immediately available, already in use for overnight sheltering and is close to community services.

The opening of Homewood is anticipated ahead of the coming winter with the exact date to be determined.

For more information about Homewood, the operator and other initiatives underway in Campbell River to respond to the challenges of homelessness, visit www.getinvolved.campbellriver.ca/homewood and www.letstalkhousingbc.ca/campbell-river-homewood-road.