WeCan Shelter Society has opened their 14th home to someone in need today.
This morning saw a grand opening of the home at Maple Pool Campground, with a shower, toilet, sink, mini-fridge and a built-in bed all included in the unit.
The home is part of the society’s mission to provide homes for the unhoused across the Comox Valley.
WeCan Board member Sue Finneron says it’s incredible that they have reached this milestone.
“All the work we do is volunteer, the funds we use to build the units are donated locally by valued community members and we don’t take any government donations,” said Finneron.
“The fact we built 14 homes for people in the Valley is so exciting, and we’re thrilled to build more.”
Finneron says despite this milestone, this unit is also the last one to be built at the Campground as they’ve run out of land to build more.
“If another space opens up, then we would be able to place another unit here but right now, Maple Pool doesn’t have any more space for us,” said Finneron.
“So far people are still donating to us which is fantastic. We are looking forward to working with the city and Regional District to find a piece of land that will work for all of us.”
The society is looking for new land to continue their cause and build more homes for the community, with Finneron saying they’ve had meetings with both the city and Regional District about it. They are waiting to hear a response from them.
They hope this can be a joint project, with the city or district able to buy a piece of land for the Society.
Finneron says if that happens, it’ll allow them to put more money into homes, with hopes the new land can house 15 to 20 units.
The person getting this new unit is expected to move in this week.
