Courtenay’s mayor says new housing will help support 19 Wing Comox members.
Bob Wells attended a ceremony Wednesday to unveil the base’s newly acquired 52-unit apartment building at 574 Cumberland Road.
The base has been seeking more housing options for its members for years, while housing has been a top priority for Wells since he took office in 2019.
“The base has had some real challenges with housing,” Wells said. “It’s been one of their biggest issues in terms of trying to get folks coming here, or when they get here – finding a place for them to stay.”
Wells noted that the Comox Valley is a desirable place to live and work, but affordability can be a barrier for newcomers, including those joining 19 Wing Comox.
“If you’re military, and you’re coming from another, maybe, smaller community where if you sell your house, you’re not going to get what it’s going to cost to buy a house here,” Wells said. “If you’re renting, again, you’re not necessarily going to be able to rent the same type of house that you had in a smaller community.”
A statement from 19 Wing says the Department of National Defence’s $19.1-million investment to purchase the building will help meet housing demand.
Occupancy is expected to begin in early 2026.
Background: 19 Wing Comox celebrates newly-acquired housing in Courtenay : My Comox Valley Now
