New women’s shelter pitched for Pandosy area

A new supportive housing project is being pitched for the Pandosy neighbourhood.

The new women’s shelter, which will be operated by the NOW Canada Society, would be located along Richter Street, between Wardlaw and Kinnear Avenues.

The proposed five-floor building would have 34 units. Shelter services would be located on the second floor, with supportive housing units on floors three to five. The roof will also be lined with solar panels.

“This project will provide needed housing options to a vulnerable segment of the population,” city staff wrote in their support of the project.

And while shelters can be institutional in nature, this proposed development is designed in a contemporary, modern style, blending with the neighbourhood.

The project is a mix of high-quality cladding materials, like coloured fiber cement panels, a lux aluminum wood grain material, and brick veneer.

“NOW Canada Society are providing an important social function by proposing a place of refuge with an integrated continuum of care ranging from emergency shelter services to supportive housing units,” the documents read.

The project is funded by BC Housing to provide shelter and below-market rental housing options to women and children.

The building is near schools, parks, commercial and transport hubs, which planners cite as supporting “this more intensive development on this lot.”

The plans still need a nod of approval from lawmakers before going ahead.