Pacifica Housing is happy to own and operate Uplands Walk in Nanaimo. We do housing and we do it well. Our portfolio in Nanaimo includes affordable, supportive and seniors housing and all of our properties have been welcomed into community and into their respective neighbourhoods.
Every one has a story when it comes to supportive housing and the homeless, which usually begins with “someone told me, and I know it is true…” However, Pacifica Housing, along with the City of Nanaimo and Vancouver Island University has undertaken a rigorous study to determine the true impacts on communities and individuals.
The proposal at Uplands was first met with apprehension, but has gained widespread acceptance since it opened. That’s due to the hands on management Pacifica employs at all our supportive housing sites on southern Vancouver Island.
We have a team of professional staff and effective strategies that ensure our projects integrate successfully into neighbourhoods. Here’s what we found out about Uplands after the development was full and we had time to study impacts:
· Prior to the development 32% of residents were concerned about crime escalating – today only 6% are concerned.
· Statistics provided by local police show that the Dover neighbourhood has one of the lowest rates of crime in the city, and at 204 incidents in 2017, there has been no perceptible increase in neighborhood crime.
· Neighbourhood property values rose 13% between 2015 and 2016, keeping pace with the Vancouver Island average of 14%.
· Before construction 14% of residents were concerned about the proximity to a local school. That concern has nearly vanished, now reported at only 2%.
· Uplands also has a positive impact on those we house: More than half become active and connected in their community through work or volunteering; 75% report better physical health and near half have already noted improvements to their mental health.
Supportive housing does not create problems for neighbourhoods. In fact, our experience shows that we help lift people out of street homelessness and bring them inside where they can better get the help they need. We as a community need to start operating based on knowledge, not fear. And in so doing, we add to neighbourhood and community, not detract.
Dean Fortin
Executive Director
Pacifica Housing
Victoria, Duncan & Nanaimo