A Port Moody charity that helps refugees settle into their new environs will build nine non-market apartments in a third-storey addition to its facility at 2340 Clarke St.
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, council approved all three readings of zoning bylaw amendments, as well as a housing agreement bylaw, that will allow the House of Omeed to construct the addition to the light industrial building where the charity currently operates a culturally-sensitive food bank along with services like children’s programs, a parenting club, English classes and a library.
As well, council authorized the waiver of more than $54,000 in fees and to provide up to $24,000 from the city’s affordable housing reserve fund to facilitate the project.
A staff report said the apartments would serve as transitional housing for up to 36 refugees.
The apartments will be comprised of:
- five sleeping units, each containing two bunk beds, attached to kitchenettes and bathrooms designed to accommodate families of four
- three sleeping units with two or three bunk beds as well as two shared bathrooms and a shared kitchen to accommodate four to six people
- one accessible unit on the ground floor with a kitchenette and bathroom for two people.
The House of Omeed was founded in 2012 by Ahmad Zeividavi, a refugee himself.
According to an earlier report, the addition of transitional housing to the services the charity already provides is much-needed by a vulnerable population and would help make the House of Omeed “a central hub for newcomers and refugees transitioning into Canada.”
It said funding for the housing units has already been approved under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing initiatives, provided the rezoning is in place by the end of the year.
Because the facility is in Port Moody’s downtown heritage conservation area (HCA), council’s approval also included a heritage alternation permit even though the 1970s building where House of Omeed operates has no heritage value of its own.
Rather, said the staff report, “the proposed expansions will enhance the aesthetics along Clarke Street and are generally consistent with the guidelines outlined in the Moody Centre HCA.”
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