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BC Housing buys Queensway hotel, office building for supportive housing

The Fraser Inn Hotel and Direct Art building will provide housing for up to 30 people.
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BC Housing has purchases 1616 and 1650 Queensway to facilitate a 30-unit supportive housing facility.

The B.C. government, through BC Housing, has officially purchased two building on Queensway for $3.3. million to convert into supportive housing.

The Fraser Inn Hotel and Direct Art building, located at 1616 and 1650 Queensway, will offer up to 30 units of supportive housing, the provincial government announced on Friday.

"With this purchase, BC Housing will be able to offer more permanent places for vulnerable people to stay in Prince George," BC Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said in a statement on Friday. "Through purchases like this and our new Belonging in BC plan, we will help more people find a place to call their own with personalized supports that will allow them to succeed, because when that happens, the whole community benefits."

BC Housing plans to renovate the Fraser Inn building and rebuild the Direct Art building to convert it into housing and amenity space for residents. The buildings will provide homes for residents and services including daily means, educational and professional support, and referrals to health and wellness services.

“BC Housing is in the process of selecting a non-profit housing society to manage the buildings,” the statement issued on Friday said. “Development and renovation plans will be confirmed following engagement with the community.”

Construction is expected to start this year, with the buildings expected to be occupied by early 2025.

Prince George city council approved the first two readings of a rezoning bylaw to facilitate the development on May 8, and approved third reading of the bylaw on May 31. City council received two letters from the public in opposition of the rezoning and two in favour.

The final reading of the bylaw has not been considered by city council, and will only come back once the applicant submits a traffic impact analysis, servicing brief, parking and landscaping plan, proof that the lots have been consolidated to the city, and registers a restrictive covenant limiting the density of the development.

"I am very pleased with the investments BC Housing is making in our community," Mayor Simon Yu said in a statement released on Friday. "Not just housing, but supportive housing is what we need, and that is exactly what is being delivered. I look forward to continuing to work with BC Housing to address the needs of Prince George citizens."