Update - March, 2026

Our St. Andrews housing team had an update meeting with engineering, surveying, architectural, Island Crisis Care and building groups to start to grasp what this project can look like and slowly move forward.  Each group is working on specific reporting required to submit to the City of Nanaimo and BC housing for various approvals/amendments.  Overall, our team left the meeting confident that all groups are well connected and working together to move the project forward.

 There are still a number of steps and hurdles to go through in order to get a formal application submitted to the City of Nanaimo. The first step is to apply for the subdivision of the property and the City typically takes 8-10 months to issue the approval for subdivision.  This approval is called a Preliminary Layout Agreement (PLA).  

The new building will also be required to apply for a Development Permit (DP), which is generally in regards to the form and character of the building and the lot development, this process typically takes 6-12 months.  

It is possible to apply for a DP concurrently with the subdivision to try to reduce the overall timespan of the approval process.  

Following the issuance of the PLA and DP an application for a Building Permit (BP) is required.  Building permits for projects such as this typically take 12 months to be reviewed and issued by the City. 

Any key issues that arise during this process we plan to bring to the congregation for input and review.

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When the congregation moved to the current site in the 1960’s, national church guidelines required they purchase two acres.  As early as then, we were discussing what housing could look like.  

 In 2022, God led us to hold a needs assessment on our 2 acre property.  We asked “what might God be calling us to do with our property.”  The survey was filled out by congregation members, neighbors, participants in programs run from our site like the food bank and community lunch.  We spoke with businesses around us, and politicians from the City of Nanaimo. 

 The overwhelming majority of respondents indicated housing for low-income families and seniors was the primary need.

 God hadn’t called us to be landlords, or building managers. Our mission is to carry Christ’s light into Nanaimo and the world.  So, in October of ‘23, we signed a memorandum of understanding with Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) to investigate building housing.  They brought decades of experience in operating housing for the most vulnerable, experience in building housing, and were well known to BC Housing who we hoped would fund the project.  

 Next, we needed a builder.  We interviewed Kindredworks, the United Church in Canada’s property development agency.  And, we met with Walter Hoogland.  Walter brought decades of experience in BC, had worked with multiple projects and ICCS, and was familiar with navigating BC Housing.  He was the clear choice to lead the build.

 We would provide the land, Hoogland would build, BC Housing would fund it, and ICCS would operate the building.  

We formed a Housing Liaison team (HLT) that would be the bridge between the congregation, Walter and ICCS.  They led a Town Hall meeting where the hopes of the congregation were gathered.  They also used a survey to get feedback.

With this in hand, the HLT met with Walter, Violet & Corrie from ICCS (executive director and community development lead), and architect Maris MacDonald.  A very tentative plan is being developed. 

Next steps will be a meeting with the city of Nanaimo planning office to see what’s possible, and BC Housing to see what they’ll fund. 

Once we know these, a firmer plan will be brought to the congregation for feedback.

Please continue to pray with us for God to lead in the way that brings the most good to the most people.