Nanaimo city council has unanimously approved re-zoning for a complex care home on Boxwood Road in Green Rock Industrial Park.
The zoning designation of 'personal care facility' was added to 1850 Boxwood Rd. during a meeting on Monday, June 16.
The proposed housing is anticipated to provide 22 units of complex care housing for people who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness and have complex health challenges such as mental health issues, addictions, brain injury, chronic illness and other disabilities. The project is a joint effort between B.C. Housing and Island Health, and will include 24/7 staffing.
"Complex care is supportive housing with additional health-related supports," explained Jennifer Fox, Vancouver Island director with B.C. Housing, at this week's meeting. "In terms of the staffing model it will be for the supportive housing provider who will be operating the site, a minimum of two staff 24/7 as well as various staff who are coming and going throughout the day."
Coun. Sheryl Armstrong asked about security at the site, to which Fox responded that B.C. Housing and Island Health are only funding security features on the property, not security personnel.
"In terms of security there is no plans to have security staff on site," added Lisa Murphy, Island Health's director of mental health and substance use for central and north Island. "We are working through the different security systems to ensure that staff and all clients are safe, so it is a conversation that is happening around what the building requires."
Coun. Janice Perrino asked the delegates about expected length of tenancy, job training supports, and potential alcohol and drug use at the building, while Coun. Erin Hemmens asked about how health supports in complex care compared with health supports in supportive housing.
Murphy explained the Boxwood Road site is 'Phase 1' complex care, considered a lower-barrier program. For those with addictions, it would serve those who want to be on a road to recovery, but it wouldn't be considered a 'dry' facility.
"We've seen real successes in Phase 1, where people are staying long term and that's the goal. If people could age in place in those environments and live really well in a communal environment and maybe even be eligible for long-term care down the road, if that's what they require, that would be seen as a real success," Murphy said. "Some people may move into market housing, but most will require long-term supports."
As for health supports, she said Phase 1 will include mental health and substance use care, and health care aids will visit, but won't be there 24/7. This is different from Phase 2 supportive housing which has those resources stationed there as a "home base."
Job training could be provided in Phase 1, but Murphy said it would depend on the level of "physical complexities" for the individual.
"It's housing I would say, with enhancement plus supports."
Following the delegations, Armstrong voiced her support to change the zoning to make way for the facility.
"I think complex care is needed and because the numbers are low I think they're manageable and I will wait to see what happens at the public hearing," Armstrong said, "but I do thank them for keeping the numbers low for people with complex issues because I think that makes it much easier for the community to deal with, as well as staff."
Coun. Ben Geselbracht added that complex care has been a long-standing request from the community and he hopes "it is the first of further investment," while Mayor Leonard Krog tongue-in-cheek quoted Charles Dickens, "I think the famous words of Oliver Twist apply, 'please sir, I want some more.'"
"It is a very good start and I want to express gratitude to the provincial government, Island Health and B.C. Housing for taking this step," Krog said. "It is much needed in this community and it is the topic on everyone's lips and continues to be."
A development permit application for the site is ongoing.
