City to consider Temporary Use Permit for 40 Temporary Housing Units for the Unsheltered

Published on Nov 17th, 2021

NORTH COWICHAN and DUNCAN, BC – The Cowichan Housing Association (CHA), on behalf of the Cowichan Covid-19 Task Force for Vulnerable Population, has applied to the City of Duncan for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) with the intent to provide a 24-hour housing and support services for up to 40 individuals from January 15, 2022 to September 30, 2022. The application proposes to site 40 temporary modular cabins (sleeping units), 3 modular shower/washroom units, and one modular staff unit at 610 Trunk Road in Duncan, BC.

The proposed project will be operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society and is based on an established model of housing and support services already in use in the City of Duncan and on Cowichan Tribes land that has been successful providing 24/7 temporary homes for 71 people during the Covid crisis while supported housing units are being constructed and other accommodations are being identified.

In addition to the required public notifications that will be distributed by the City of Duncan as a part of the TUP application process leading up to Council’s consideration, the CHA has two digital townhall sessions scheduled. The CHA and their project partners have committed to engaging with neighbours and members of the public to hear concerns, provide information, and incorporate feedback where feasible. Letters describing the project are being distributed to residents and businesses within 100m radius of the property and all other members of the public are also encouraged to register for the events.

Anyone interest in attending one of the digital townhalls must email engage@cowichanhousing.com to request the Zoom link for the event.

“The City is thankful that North Cowichan submitted the proposal for funding on behalf of the region and that the application was successful. As the location identified in the proposal is no longer available, the next step is securing a suitable location,” stated Mayor Michelle Staples. “These humble, temporary supported housing sleeping units will provide an additional level of wrap-around supports, services and safety compared to the current sites. For the broader community, housing and supporting people helps reduce the negative impacts the community is experiencing.”

“North Cowichan is pleased that a potentially suitable property has been found after much searching for a viable location that could support a project of this nature,” said Mayor Al Siebring. “I would like to thank the Cowichan Housing Association and Lookout Housing and Health Society for their continued efforts to provide people in need a place to call home by providing safe, temporary sleeping units and wraparound on-site support services.”

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Cowichan COVID-19 Task Force for Vulnerable Population and Lookout Housing and Health Society, has scheduled two Neighbourhood Conversation sessions to provide information about the Village with interested members of the neighbourhood and broader community:

~ Monday, November 29 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., or
~ Tuesday, November 30 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Due to COVID-19, the Neighbourhood Conversation will be held virtually. To register, please email engage@cowichanhousing.com. The same information will be presented at each session.

Inquiries about the TUP:
The Development: Cowichan Housing Association http://cowichanhousing.com/contact-us/ or email: engage@cowichanhousing.com

City’s Temporary Use Permit and Council Feedback: developmentservices@duncan.ca

Last updated on: Dec 13th, 2021

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