Neighbours continue to voice opposition to proposed supportive housing in Port Alberni

Published 3:33 pm Friday, January 23, 2026

Residents concerned about a supportive housing development continued to voice their opposition to Port Alberni City Council at the Jan. 19 committee of the whole meeting.

The audience section of council chambers was filled and many members of the community spoke to council during a public input period about their concerns. Mayor Sharie Minions noted to them that the rezoning had already been approved at the Jan. 12 meeting, but council would still hear them out.

“What we do not need is another wet housing unit. What we do need is a clean, dry, properly managed supportive housing facility,” said uptown business owner Carol-Anne Zanette. “This will not revitalize uptown. It will destroy it.”

The Jan. 12 vote saw four councillors vote in favour with two opposed to the six-storey, 55-unit proposed housing development. The proposed supportive housing will be overseen by BC Housing and operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society,a non-profit organization. Councillor Dustin Dame recused himself from the discussion and vote due to the proximity of the proposed site to his business.

Margi Kristensen also expressed her opposition to council, saying she’s frustrated the rezoning was approved with several councillors voicing concerns and later voting to approve the rezoning.

She also pointed to the mayor’s statement that the site was different from the troubled Port Pub.

“Surely (there are) going to be same troubled souls as were living there and they would bring the same drug and alcohol dependency, mental health and behavioural issues. Why? Why would we expect a different outcome?” Kristensen posed to council.

Several people accused council of having made up their minds well before the issue went to a vote. People also said they would be moving out town because of the development.

While the rezoning was approved, there are still steps that need to be taken before the building is finalized, including the city signing a lease with BC Housing, which could include strict conditions on the site. In theory, all the city has agreed on thus far is that supportive housing or a multi-family residential building can be built on the lot. This was pointed out by Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Jolleen Dick.

“I’m not a city planner but I believe this is at the rezoning stage and that perhaps there’s a permitting process that needs to happen in the future,” Dick said. “As this is a city-owned piece of property and land I think that you’ve heard very clearly what the wants and needs are of the residents in the area and perhaps there’s reconsideration on what you intend to do.”

Council did not respond to the concerns raised by people at the meeting.