Could a Massive Site C Work Camp Be Transformed Into Supportive Housing in Surrey?

Posted at | Categorised in buildings, community, construction, infrastructure, urban and regional planning

Jack O’Halloran suggests keeping the large workforce accommodation for the Site C dam project away from the landfill by relocating it to Surrey instead.

“Absolutely stunning. A decade back, this was cutting-edge equipment for laborers,” said O’Halloran, CEO of the Surrey Urban Mission, to Global News.

When O’Halloran found out that the camp, housing almost 2,000 workers constructing the $16 billion hydroelectric dam, was set to be abandoned by late summer and might end up as waste, an idea suddenly came to him.

Getting even just half of that amount would completely eradicate homelessness in Surrey,” he stated. “Our 2023 tally recorded roughly 1,100 people without homes.

BC Hydro is presently searching for a location for the facility.

This encompasses residences, cooking facilities, and food service structures.

In addition to featuring a fitness center, gym, and theater, these facilities cover almost 62,000 square meters of space—approximately 1.5 times larger than the Vancouver Convention Center.

Earlier this spring, the Crown corporation raised concerns among directors of the Peace River Regional District when it started asking questions about sorting regulations and capacity at the North Peace Regional Landfill.

Video: Exclusive global look: Inside the Site C workers camp

Earlier this week, a spokesperson informed Global News that the main focus is to locate an organization or business willing to assume ownership and repurpose these facilities.

However, they cautioned that these spaces were not ideal for residences due to the absence of separate kitchens and the fact that the rooms feature windows that do not open.

O’Halloran mentioned that this isn’t an issue for a supportive housing facility.

The organization already manages a 60-room initiative named Safe Sleep, which utilizes a commercial kitchen to provide three daily meals to occupants in a shared eating space—similar to how workers operate at Site C.

“We have 60 rooms here; none of them include a kitchen. Each room comes with its own bathroom, bed, and desk, providing residents with their personal area,” he explained.

The single window that won’t budge isn’t really an issue.

More on BC

Linda Annis, a city councillor from Surrey, mentioned that significant doubts surround the concept; however, she believes it merits investigation.

“We must assess the economic impact of relocating it to Surrey to ensure fiscal viability. However, addressing homelessness and providing housing solutions has been challenging; we urgently require effective measures. In my view, we ought to seriously consider this option,” she stated.

What I enjoy about it is that it can be accomplished rather swiftly.

O’Halloran mentioned that he has not yet reached out to BC Hydro, but plans to get in touch this week to express his interest in getting involved.

He recognized that turning the project from an idea into reality will demand considerable effort — which includes moving the structures, securing funds for the conversion, and locating land to put everything back together on.

However, he thinks the initiative is significant enough to attract both federal and provincial government involvement, and has already reached out to multiple Surrey MLAs to promote the idea.

BC Hydro indicates that approximately 90 groups have shown interest in the properties and mentioned they are engaged in deeper discussions with multiple entities.

The Crown agency anticipates the site will remain in use until the conclusion of summer, coinciding with the full activation of the dam.

Tags :