The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness commends Parksville city council for adopting the rezoning of 222 Corfield St. South.
This decision upholds Parksville’s support for “developments that provide affordable and supported housing for seniors, low income individuals and families and persons with disabilities” as stated in the city’s Official Community Plan.
There is an urgent need for supportive housing in Parksville Qualicum Beach. The Parksville Qualicum Beach homeless count in 2013 identified 66 homeless individuals. The modular-built Corfield building will address this issue by providing supportive housing to about fifty Parksville Qualicum Beach residents who are now homeless or severely under housed. Supports include individualized case plans, employment planning, skills training, and access to health services.
As we move forward through the development permit process, we will provide enhanced public engagement and education, and recently applied for funding which will assist us to expand our efforts. We are hopeful the community will come together to support this housing project and, most importantly, the Parksville Qualicum Beach residents who will call it home.
The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness is a multi-agency organization that is committed to see Parksville Qualicum Beach as a community without homelessness and to improve the living conditions for people at-risk of homelessness. Members include the Regional District of Nanaimo, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, Society of Organized Services, Island Crisis Care Society, Forward House Community Society, Haven Society, Canadian Mental Health Association, RCMP, Island Health, United Way (Central Northern Vancouver Island), KAIROS, The Career Centre and Manna Homeless Society.
Sharon Welch, Violet Hayes and Susanna Newton, co-chairs of the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness