Social services committee endorses hub for the homeless project

Transformation of the site, formerly a retirement community, will be done in three phases. Creation of an emergency shelter that prioritizes families, women, couples and vulnerable individuals began Oct. 30. The shelter is expected to be ready by Oct. 1, 2026. Phase 2 is scheduled to begin January 2027 and will focus on development of transitional and supportive housing. City officials will explore community partnerships to provide services. The target date for completion of Phase 2 is the fourth quarter of 2028. The third phase calls for an assessment of open space on the 1.95 hectare (4.82 acre) property. A large portion of the property is open space and developable. The shelter, when complete, will have about 50 beds. It’s estimated that between 72 to 144 affordable housing units could be added to the site through construction of a mid-rise six-storey building.