New Transitional Housing Opens In Courtenay

Women and children leaving violence in Courtenay will soon move into new safe and secure homes with the opening of Darry's Place.

“These new second-stage homes in Courtenay will help women and their families rebuild their lives in safety and security, free from violence,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox.

“Thank you to the Comox Valley Transition Society for working with us to provide another housing option for families in need.”

The three-storey modular building provides second-stage housing for women and gender-diverse people leaving violence, including transgender women, Two-Spirit, and non-binary people, along with their children.

The family-oriented development has a mix of studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, including five wheelchair-accessible units.

The project also includes a secure outdoor children's play area.

Second-stage housing provides short-term accommodation with on-site supports for women and their dependent children leaving violence.

Residents typically move into second-stage housing after a stay in a transition house, and then live in the units for six to 18 months before moving to more permanent housing.

The building will be managed by Comox Valley Transition Society (CVTS). The society will offer supports, such as life-skills training, crisis counselling and poverty-reduction services to women and children living in the homes. People are scheduled to start moving in within a few weeks.

CVTS Executive Dirtector Heather Ney says the lack of safe, affordable, and supported housing is a real barrier to women, and women with children, escaping domestic violence, adding the “new housing provides the chance to stabilize, heal and move forward with strength and self-determination."

Rental rates will be calculated at 30% of the residents' income or at the provincial shelter rate for those who are receiving income or disability assistance.

The development is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government.

Since 2017, the Province says it has delivered more than 74,000 new homes that have been completed or are underway, including more than 400 homes in the Comox Valley.

If you are a women in the area, with or without children who are 19 years or older, or are a dependent child who is experiencing violence or are at risk of experiencing violence, contact the Comox Valley Transition Society.

To learn more about Darry’s Place, visit cvts.ca/darrys-place.