Smithers – 3879 Alfred Ave

Ariel View of 3887 Alfred Ave. Smithers BC


BC Housing is proposing to develop 40 new deeply affordable homes and 20 shelter spaces with support services at 3879 Alfred Avenue in Smithers. The original development proposal featured supportive housing units only on the site.

This new design maximizes our use of the land and helps meet an important need for more shelter in the region while aligning with the general form and character of the area. Including shelter spaces in the building design will also give people experiencing or facing homelessness a place to stabilize before entering long-term housing.

This building will feature separate entrances for the supportive housing residents and shelter guests as well as separated lobbies and elevators for the housing and the shelter. There will also be separate dining spaces, laundry rooms and counselling/medical areas.

Development update

BC Housing applied for rezoning of the lots in December 2023. Town of Smithers approved rezoning in February 2024. In May 2025, BC Housing demolished the buildings that previously sat on the development site.

BC Housing has now submitted to the Town of Smithers a development permit application (with variance for bike storage) for review and approval.

Our next milestones will include:

  • Spring 2026 – Community Information Session
  • Summer/Fall 2026 – Municipal permitting & construction start
  • Winter 2027/28 – Building complete and residents move in

Community Engagement

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of supportive housing residents. BC Housing also commits to answering questions and addressing any community concerns as quickly as possible.

We plan to host an additional community information session in 2026. At this session, we will share updated building plans that include both the housing and shelter areas. We will also showcase our latest designs and will highlight areas in the project where Indigenous art will be incorporated. BC Housing’s development team will also be available to discuss the project and answer questions.

We will send community information session invitations by mail to area neighbours when more details are available.

Community Engagement To-Date

  • Our first Virtual Community Dialogue Session took place online on February 1, 2024, and a recording is available to view. This was followed by an in-person community dialogue session at the Royal Canadian Legion in Smithers on February 5, 2024. We want to thank all participants for their time and thoughtful discussion.
  • The Town of Smithers hosted a public hearing on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, as part of the rezoning process for this site. Learn more by visiting the Town's website.
  • Meetings with the Smithers Situation Table (May 6 and May 20, 2025) to discuss revising the Alfred Avenue plan to include 20 shelter spaces.
  • Presentation to Smithers Town Council July 15, 2025, to discuss the addition of shelter spaces to the Alfred Avenue site and share input from the Smithers Situation Table about the proposed revision.

What is supportive housing?

Supportive housing are individual apartments for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and need support services to maintain their housing. Residents could be all genders and include seniors, people with disabilities.

Supportive housing typically includes 24/7 support services such as meals, life and employment skills training, and health and wellness supports. Many also provide culturally informed services.

BC Housing would select a non-profit housing operator through a fair and open process to manage this building and provide services to the residents.

Questions and Comments

You are welcome to submit questions or comments at any time by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org.


BC Housing is proposing to develop 40 new deeply affordable homes and 20 shelter spaces with support services at 3879 Alfred Avenue in Smithers. The original development proposal featured supportive housing units only on the site.

This new design maximizes our use of the land and helps meet an important need for more shelter in the region while aligning with the general form and character of the area. Including shelter spaces in the building design will also give people experiencing or facing homelessness a place to stabilize before entering long-term housing.

This building will feature separate entrances for the supportive housing residents and shelter guests as well as separated lobbies and elevators for the housing and the shelter. There will also be separate dining spaces, laundry rooms and counselling/medical areas.

Development update

BC Housing applied for rezoning of the lots in December 2023. Town of Smithers approved rezoning in February 2024. In May 2025, BC Housing demolished the buildings that previously sat on the development site.

BC Housing has now submitted to the Town of Smithers a development permit application (with variance for bike storage) for review and approval.

Our next milestones will include:

  • Spring 2026 – Community Information Session
  • Summer/Fall 2026 – Municipal permitting & construction start
  • Winter 2027/28 – Building complete and residents move in

Community Engagement

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of supportive housing residents. BC Housing also commits to answering questions and addressing any community concerns as quickly as possible.

We plan to host an additional community information session in 2026. At this session, we will share updated building plans that include both the housing and shelter areas. We will also showcase our latest designs and will highlight areas in the project where Indigenous art will be incorporated. BC Housing’s development team will also be available to discuss the project and answer questions.

We will send community information session invitations by mail to area neighbours when more details are available.

Community Engagement To-Date

  • Our first Virtual Community Dialogue Session took place online on February 1, 2024, and a recording is available to view. This was followed by an in-person community dialogue session at the Royal Canadian Legion in Smithers on February 5, 2024. We want to thank all participants for their time and thoughtful discussion.
  • The Town of Smithers hosted a public hearing on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, as part of the rezoning process for this site. Learn more by visiting the Town's website.
  • Meetings with the Smithers Situation Table (May 6 and May 20, 2025) to discuss revising the Alfred Avenue plan to include 20 shelter spaces.
  • Presentation to Smithers Town Council July 15, 2025, to discuss the addition of shelter spaces to the Alfred Avenue site and share input from the Smithers Situation Table about the proposed revision.

What is supportive housing?

Supportive housing are individual apartments for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and need support services to maintain their housing. Residents could be all genders and include seniors, people with disabilities.

Supportive housing typically includes 24/7 support services such as meals, life and employment skills training, and health and wellness supports. Many also provide culturally informed services.

BC Housing would select a non-profit housing operator through a fair and open process to manage this building and provide services to the residents.

Questions and Comments

You are welcome to submit questions or comments at any time by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org.