Construction of a new 52-unit supportive housing project is set to get underway in downtown New West and open within 18 months.
A notice on BC Housing’s website said site preparation work on the property is anticipated to start in late September and construction will begin in mid-November. The development will be located at 602 Agnes St., a site formerly known as 68 Sixth St.
“The city is pleased to have worked alongside BC Housing to realize this housing, which will provide deeply affordable housing and essential on-site support services that are greatly needed by unhoused residents of New Westminster,” said Jackie Teed, the city’s director of planning and development.
According to Teed, BC Housing initially explored a modular construction option but has opted for standard development methods for this project. She said the project comprises 52 studio units within a six-storey building, featuring amenities such as a dining area and rooftop outdoor space.
In an Oct. 2 email to the Record, Teed said the city approved a special development permit in June 2024, and the city's review of the building permit is nearly finalized.
Teed said this initiative focuses on supportive housing, offering deeply affordable accommodation with on-site supports and services for individuals facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and needing assistance to live independently. Lookout Housing and Health Society, which has more than 50 years of experience in providing shelter and support services, has been selected as the non-profit operator to manage the building and support its residents around the clock.
John Stark, the city’s manager of community planning, said the occupancy for that supportive housing project is likely 14 to 18 months away.
At the Oct. 2 meeting of the New Westminster Downtown Residents’ Association, he outlined how that project and others would help the city address the three crises of homelessness, mental health and addictions. (Check the Record’s website for an update on that initiative.)
With construction set to begin on the Sixth Street site, the City of New Westminster recently announced the temporary off-leash dog area at 68 Sixth St. would close permanently as of Sept. 27.
Long time coming
According to BC Housing’s website, supportive homes are “deeply affordable” studio apartments for people who need various supports to maintain their housing, such as daily meals, life skills and employment training, and referrals to other community services. All residents would sign residency agreements and pay rents to live in the building.
“Residents would be single adults (19+) of all genders, including seniors, people with disabilities or any others who need supports to maintain stable housing,” said the website. “All applicants would go through an assessment process to make sure there is an appropriate mix of residents with the right supports. Priority will be given to residents of New Westminster.”
The Record contacted BC Housing for details about the project, including the cause of delays to the project.
“Due to the provincial election, beginning Sept. 21 BC Housing is unable to respond to media with any information beyond that which is already publicly available on our website,” said a statement from BC Housing. “This guideline will continue until after the new provincial government forms.”
In December 2021, city council approved a rezoning and official community plan amendment that paved the way for construction of a building with 52 units of supportive housing on the site. At that time, BC Housing was proposing to build a four-storey modular housing building that would be staffed 24/7 and include supports for adults who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.
In 2021, BC Housing estimated this project would be completed in 2022, but said it recognized the COVID-19 pandemic, global construction supply pressures, local labour pressures, and other factors could impact that deadline.
In a July 2022 email to the Record, BC Housing said it was reassessing the construction method for the project and determining whether it should be a modular build or wood-frame build. BC Housing issued a request for proposals to secure an architect who could provide designs for both types of construction on the site.
“While modular design development typically allows for quicker project completion, the size and layout of the site limits possible modular design options, and as a result, we will consider other purpose-built design options,” said the 2022 statement. “We are in the process of reviewing multiple responses to this RFP. We will provide an update on the construction method and timeline once this information is available.”
