Quesnel – 383 St. Laurent Avenue – Supportive Housing
Project overview
We’re proposing a new permanent supportive homes project in Quesnel and we want your feedback. We’ve submitted a rezoning application for 383 St. Laurent Avenue, the current site of the Ramada Hotel. If approved, the new permanent supportive housing site at 383 St. Laurent Avenue would provide housing for community members experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Most of the future residents would be individuals currently sheltering at the Season’s House Shelter and the Grace Inn.
Permanent supportive homes are urgently needed in Quesnel. Without the proposed supportive homes, Quesnel residents who received temporary shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic would be displaced after BC Housing’s lease of the Grace Inn ends next spring. The proposal would also allow BC Housing to relocate existing programs and services from Season’s House and the Grace Inn to a central location. Both shelters would then be closed, and Season’s House repurposed in the future for other community needs.
BC Housing is proposing to turn the Ramada Hotel at 383 St. Laurent Avenue into 45 new supportive homes, and may include the capacity to provide up to 15 shelter spaces and 10 Extreme Weather Response spaces, depending on the community need.
383 St. Laurent Avenue is located on the traditional territories of the Lhtako Dene Nation.
Meet our operator
BC Housing is pleased to announce that Quesnel Shelter and Support Society (QSSS) will be the operator of the proposed permanent supportive homes at 383 St. Laurent Avenue. QSSS currently operates the Season’s House Shelter location at 146 Carson Street, and the Bridges Supportive Housing location at 355 Elliot Street. QSSS is best positioned to operate 383 St. Laurent Avenue as they have the relationships, local experience, and knowledge needed to make this housing initiative a success.
Community engagement
Participate in upcoming community engagement: August 15-29, 2022
Engaging with community members, local and regional governments, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders is a priority for BC Housing as we determine preferred solutions to provide safe and reliable supportive housing in Quesnel.
Our engagement period begins on Monday, August 15, 2022. We encourage you to get involved by:
- read the Quesnel 383 St.Laurent Ave. discussion guide,
- complete the online feedback form; or
- visit an upcoming community pop-up to ask your questions and provide feedback:
- Tuesday, August 23, 1:00PM – 3:00PM at Spirit Square
- Wednesday, August 24, 5:00PM – 7:00PM at Spirit Square
BC Housing and QSSS are committed to being good neighbours. Following the conclusion of this community engagement period, a summary report of what we heard will be developed and shared with the City of Quesnel and the community. Input will be considered as we further explore solutions for the proposed site. There will be future opportunities to provide feedback through the City of Quesnel’s public hearing process and as the project is further developed and approved.
Correction: The Lifecycle incorrectly indicated that the property was purchased in February 2021. The proposal is subject to the City’s rezoning process and other considerations. We apologize for the confusion.
