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Q'waxsem Place provides homes in Campbell River

Consultation has concluded

Illustrative rendering of supportive housing in Campbell River

Completed in February 2021, Q'waxsem Place is a 50-unit supportive housing building in Campbell River that provides homes for people in the community experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Located at 580 Dogwood St., the building is managed by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society. On-site support services are provided to residents, including access to life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental health resources, and addiction recovery services.

Screenshot from the community digital information sessions

What is supportive housing?

Supportive housing is a self-contained studio home. It typically includes 24/7 support services such as meals, life and employment skills training, and health services. Many also provide culturally informed services.

Supportive housing is for British Columbians experiencing or at risk of homelessness. People experiencing homelessness are not all the same. They can be young people, seniors, or people with physical or mental disabilities. They may have experienced trauma, poverty, or struggled with the high cost of housing. Staff are on-site 24/7 and work with each resident to understand their needs and help them achieve stable housing.

Applicants go through an assessment process to ensure supports are available based on the person’s needs. All residents pay rent and sign a program agreement (like a tenancy agreement).

Community engagement

Approximately half the people in Campbell River experiencing homelessness identify as Indigenous. As a result, the City of Campbell River consulted with the Urban Indigenous Housing and Wellness Coalition on the project. The consultation process resulted in an Indigenous lens being placed on interior and exterior design, including the creation of a designated room for elders to provide support to residents and families.

The Coalition also helped facilitate naming of the site. Q'waxsem means "treehouse" in the local Kwak’wala language, reflecting the desire to create a communal and friendly atmosphere for residents.

In addition, BC Housing hosted virtual information sessions in August 2020 to provide more information, answer questions and collect community feedback. This session was recorded and can be viewed HERE. The presentation is also available in the Documents section.

Your feedback and comments are important to us!

We welcome questions and comments by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org

Completed in February 2021, Q'waxsem Place is a 50-unit supportive housing building in Campbell River that provides homes for people in the community experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Located at 580 Dogwood St., the building is managed by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society. On-site support services are provided to residents, including access to life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental health resources, and addiction recovery services.

Screenshot from the community digital information sessions

What is supportive housing?

Supportive housing is a self-contained studio home. It typically includes 24/7 support services such as meals, life and employment skills training, and health services. Many also provide culturally informed services.

Supportive housing is for British Columbians experiencing or at risk of homelessness. People experiencing homelessness are not all the same. They can be young people, seniors, or people with physical or mental disabilities. They may have experienced trauma, poverty, or struggled with the high cost of housing. Staff are on-site 24/7 and work with each resident to understand their needs and help them achieve stable housing.

Applicants go through an assessment process to ensure supports are available based on the person’s needs. All residents pay rent and sign a program agreement (like a tenancy agreement).

Community engagement

Approximately half the people in Campbell River experiencing homelessness identify as Indigenous. As a result, the City of Campbell River consulted with the Urban Indigenous Housing and Wellness Coalition on the project. The consultation process resulted in an Indigenous lens being placed on interior and exterior design, including the creation of a designated room for elders to provide support to residents and families.

The Coalition also helped facilitate naming of the site. Q'waxsem means "treehouse" in the local Kwak’wala language, reflecting the desire to create a communal and friendly atmosphere for residents.

In addition, BC Housing hosted virtual information sessions in August 2020 to provide more information, answer questions and collect community feedback. This session was recorded and can be viewed HERE. The presentation is also available in the Documents section.

Your feedback and comments are important to us!

We welcome questions and comments by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org

Consultation has concluded



  • Hi With the resent murder that took place on the Island by criminals taking refuge in a homeless camp. How do you plan on screening the applicants for 580 Dogwood to ensure the safety of the at risk tenants and your neighbours? We have 4 schools and 3 day care centers within a 2 block radius of 580 Dogwood. Is medication management the use of illegal drugs? and will be attracting drug dealers to our neighbourhood? many thanks Steve Jewell

    steve asked almost 4 years ago

    BC Housing and VIMHS collaborate with local service providers on a thoughtful and thorough assessment process to ensure an appropriate mix of residents with the right supports live in the housing. 

    Every potential resident is considered on an individual basis to ensure that the housing and services provided by the program match the support services that they need, such as life skills training, employment assistance, and help with accessing a range of social and health care services. 

    People apply to live here and need to meet eligibility requirements around income, homelessness and required supports and programming. 

    Residents are low-income individuals over the age of 19 who already live in Campbell River, have a history of homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and who need additional support services to maintain housing. 

    They are provided support to assist with their successful tenancy, including daily meal services. All residents pay rent.

    People who experience homelessness are as varied as any other neighbour. They may be seniors, people with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use. All residents in supportive housing have made a choice to work towards living a healthy, stable life.

    BC Housing’s supportive housing buildings are operated based on the widely recognized and proven Housing First model. Residents at these sites, and all other supportive housing buildings that BC Housing is affiliated with, are permitted to make their own choices in regard to lifestyle. This includes the decision to abstain or use drugs/alcohol in the privacy of their homes. If they choose to use, the operators would work with each tenant ensure they use safely. 

    We take a harm reduction approach, which means staff is available to support any residents who are in various phases of substance use and the building would be set up with the ability to provide a safe consumption space for residents only, to ensure the safety of residents who are active substance users. The operator would work with Island Health in determining best practices to ensure tenants are safe and healthy. When residents are ready to make a change, staff on site would connect them with the appropriate support services.

    Many supportive housing sites for people experiencing homelessness across the province have been operating in their communities and near schools for 10+ years with no issues and with support from the community. 

    There are over 210 provincially-funded supportive housing sites across the province that are within 500 metres of a school, and 52% of provincially-funded supportive housing sites in B.C. within 500 metres of schools have been operating for 10+ years.

  • How come you cherry pick the comments on this page? I wrote about the open drug dealing on my street. Its sad you hid the bad stuff.

    How come you cherry pick the comments on this page? I wrote about the open drug dealing on my street. Its sad you hid the bad stuff. asked over 3 years ago

    We encourage you to contact the RCMP if you witness any illegal behaviour.

    The safety of residents, staff and the surrounding community is a priority. This is a purpose-built property and security measures include well-lit and fenced grounds, extensive camera monitoring and a controlled single point of entry. 

    If concerns or problems occur with specific individuals on the project property, the operator would work with the individual and police to find solutions.

  • To quote your answer "A Community Advisory Committee would be created to support the successful integration of the building into the neighbourhood and community, with representation from BC Housing, Island Health, municipalities, RCMP, BIA/Chamber, any relevant community partners such as school district, service providers and community members at large, to be facilitated by a neutral third party." Who are you? a provincial, regional or city beaurocrate and who will be the neutal third party? sincerely Brad Zihrul brad.zihrul@telus.net

    Brad1234 asked about 4 years ago

    BC Housing's Let's Talk site for the proposed supportive housing at 580 Dogwood is monitored by BC Housing's Community Relations Team. We work with our development and operations team and reach out to partners to gather the information needed to provide answers to questions posed on the site.

    Community Advisory Committee's (CACs) are typically Chaired by the non-profit housing operator of the building, or a Chair is alternatively selected by the committee. There is usually an application process for community members to submit their interest in participating on the committee and committee representatives will collectively determine a Terms of Reference and operating guidelines.

  • Will this be just for the people residing in Rose bowl? Or will this also be a help for families?

    Alice asked about 4 years ago

    Hi Alice,

    The development will house people from the temporary bridge to housing at the Rose Bowl, however, it will be available to other Campbell River residents as well, who are over the age of 19, have a history of homelessness and who need additional supports to maintain housing. 

    The site will provide self-contained studio homes. Residents are selected through a thoughtful and thorough assessment process. Every resident is considered on an individual basis to ensure that the housing and services provided by the program match the supports they need.

  • Why is it that there is only a contact email address for Cleo Corbett but nobody else on the "who is listening page"?

    Gord Smith asked about 4 years ago

    The BC Housing Community Relations Team is monitoring questions or comments that are submitted through our Let’s Talk engagement portal. We work closely with our Development and Operations Teams to respond to questions and are listening to feedback provided by the public. 

    Questions can also be submitted directly to communityrelations@bchousing.org 

  • I've been made aware that the Telus tower failed it's structural testing when the Fire Department was looking to build at 580 Dogwood; why are you still building there?

    Gord Smith asked about 4 years ago

    Telus has confirmed that they meet all of the safety regulations for this equipment/structures and BC Housing encourages you to direct questions directly to Telus.

  • Today (Friday October 23rd) you held a celebratory gathering on the remaining 2 acres of green space. Neighbours that live on Victoria Cres. were told by the organizers that there are plans to build 2 more units on the remaining green space...Care to confirm or deny this statement?

    Gord Smith asked about 4 years ago

    BC Housing is only leasing the front portion of the site where the supportive housing development is under construction.  The remaining portion of the Land is currently owned by the City of Campbell River.  BC Housing does not have any plans to purchase or develop on the rear of the property at this time.  The gathering was located on the rear of the property to provide visual access to see the modular units being delivered to the site.

  • Why was the neighbouhood told this was a Wacor project being done using local people and yet according to Cleo Corbett (planner City of CR) Wacor was only for "off-site" construction and that Horizon North was actually the prime contractor. The propaganda paperwork you sent out stated this was a Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm project yet crews having been working 7 days a week starting earlier than 7am and now usually finishing around 7pm

    Gord Smith asked about 4 years ago

    Hi Gord, 

    The main contractor is Horizon North as they are the modular builder that supplied the modular units.  As per the contract, as much local contractors have been used as possible in an effort to support the  local economy and build on the expertise of the local contractor.  Highland Engineering and Wacor (local contractors) have been hired by Horizon North, in consultation with BCH and the City, to do the on and off-site civil works that are currently underway.  

    The site superintendent has been reminded of the City noise by-laws.  The site super has been arriving at the site and backing into the parking spot which has initiated the backup beeps from the work vehicle.  The site superintendent has been asked to not back the vehicle into the parking spot prior to the 7am noise by-law.

  • Why do you support them with using drugs and drinking,they need help with their addiction not help with using safely,you’re not helping them ,you’re encouraging them and it is very concerning that they can get drugged up and drunk and get on the street around our children’s,who will be responsible if any arms is done to our children’s?

    Cecile Berube asked about 4 years ago

    Hello Cecile - thank you for your ongoing engagement on this critical housing project. 

    British Columbia is currently experiencing an overdose crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016. BC Housing’s approach to managing this as it relates to housing follows the widely recognized and proven Housing First model. Residents at all supportive housing buildings with which BC Housing is affiliated are permitted to make their own choices in regard to lifestyle. This includes the decision to abstain or use drugs/alcohol in the privacy of their homes. If they choose to use, the operators will work with each tenant to ensure they use safely.  We take a harm reduction approach means staff are available to support any residents who are in various phases of substance use, encouraging residents to make healthier choices and support them when they are ready to do so. We need to meet people experiencing homelessness where they are in their journey, providing connection to the resources that people need to work towards living a healthy life. 

    As mentioned, the new building would be staffed 24/7 by experienced non-profit housing operators, and we partner with the health authority to ensure regular visits to support a wide range of physical or mental health issues. Once housed, people are no longer homeless and can begin working towards stabilizing their lives.

  • what is the expected date for time on opening. I am not able to say get an apartment for prizing that is out there as I only have so much old age pension to live on what is the expected rental for a 2 bedroom unit.

    cecil asked about 4 years ago

    The supportive housing will be studio units, for individuals experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, that require supports to maintain housing stability. BC Housing has a range of programs to provide housing assistance for residents of BC. This includes various subsidized housing options as well as rent supplements in which part of an individual’s rent is paid for by BC Housing. You can view this site to search housing listings in a specific area: https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-housing/housing-listings       

    The Program Finder can be used to learn which programs you may be eligible for: https://programfinder.bchousing.org/programfinder/faces/start             

    For more information about applying for housing or programs, you can contact Applicant Services at 1-800-257-7756 (toll-free).