Vancouver Island 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Housing Project The First Of Its Kind In Canada

Local organizers are working on a new housing initiative for some of the Comox Valley’s most vulnerable homeless.

The Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society is looking to find a safe, secure house for Indigenous and non-Indigenous queer youth.

The project would provide youth aged 16-26 with housing and peer support in a home purchased by Dawn to Dawn.

The group presented their ideas to Courtenay town council last week, looking for funds and breaks to help offset the costs associated with the project.

Council will consider their requests at a future meeting - but they were asking for a 40% reduction in municipal taxes, and some leniency in permitting and development fees should a home be purchased in Courtenay.

They’ve also asked for $2,500 to help with a fundraiser this spring at the Sid Williams Theatre.

Dawn to Dawn says it needs $1,500,000 to find a suitable location - they’ve already raised about $250,000 for the project.