1 week Ago By By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative
Construction of a transitional housing centre on 16th Street North in Brandon is well underway, but delays have set the project’s completion date back by several months. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
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Construction of a transitional housing centre on 16th Street North in Brandon is well underway, but delays have set the project’s completion date back by several months. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Construction of a transitional housing centre on 16th Street North in Brandon is well underway, but delays have set the project’s completion date back by several months. Excel7, the general contractor for the project, estimates a completion date of November rather than last year’s estimate of June.
Crews this month are working on installing groundwork for the electrical system, as well as those for plumbing and HVAC, contract administrator Flavia Contri told the Sun on Friday. The “rough-in” stage will be followed by painting, flooring, sidewalks, parking and other interior finishes in the coming months. A construction crew works on the site of the transitional housing facility on 16th Street North on Friday.
A black roof is set to be installed on the surface next week, a worker on site told the Sun. (Connor McDowell/The Brandon Sun) John Howard Society executive director Ross Robinson visited the site with guests on Friday. He told the Sun he was impressed with how the design is taking shape.
“The people who I brought in there were amazed at how it looks and feels inside already,” said Robinson. “Our goal is to make it a not-institution ..
. This feels at this stage like a high-end, privilege living space.” As construction continues, the John Howard Society is gearing up to run the place.
Robinson said there are a few plans the society has in the works so it can hit the ground running when the building is finished. Staffing and identifying people to occupy the units are two main jobs. The society has arranged for a job fair and awareness session, as well as engagement to identify people in the area who might be a good fit for the facility when it opens.
Joint effort with agencies such as Manitoba Housing, Brandon Friendship Centre and Housing First will help identify people in the community who are most appropriate to move in. “There’s a phrase used and employed in Brandon called ‘co-ordinated access,’” said Robinson. “And what this means is that all the agencies, together, along with their database, are able to identify the people who are most appropriate for this type of housing .
.. The community together will be saying, ‘This is the next person who should have that opportunity.
’” Examples may include people who are being released from Brandon Correctional Centre around the same time, as well as people who are using the Safe and Warm Shelter, said Robinson. The transitional house will address an ongoing issue that caught police attention as BPS consulted with community members for a downtown safety strategy. Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates told the police board this month that a problem the city was facing was many people are released from BCC with nowhere to go except downtown shelters.
The transitional housing project is a three-storey, 24-unit facility on the 300 block of 16th Street. It will serve people who are struggling with homelessness, or who are released from jail and working to transition back into work and housing. Designs of the main floor include an industrial kitchen, dining area and cultural and meeting rooms, while the second and third floor have residential units, Contri told the Sun.
If construction finishes in November, cold weather will be on the horizon. Robinson said for that reason the society will want to be ready to work quickly to get the facility up and running. John Howard Society of Brandon executive director Ross Robinson stands inside the Men’s Resource Centre in this file photo.
On Friday, Robinson said the society plans to hit the ground running when the transitional housing centre is finished, but will likely take a phased approach to moving in residents, “as slamming the place full of 24 people right away is probably not the best start.” (The Brandon Sun files) To ensure things go smoothly, Robinson said the building will likely do a phased-in approach, taking on tenants in steps to allow the facility to remain comfortable at the start rather than immediately filling it to maximum capacity. “I think we have to put some more thought into that,” said Robinson.
“Slamming the place full of 24 people right away is probably not the best start.” Preparing for the start date, the John Howard Society is also looking for a deal to furnish common areas and suites. Robinson said in the next few weeks the society will look at putting out requests to local furniture suppliers.
With months to go, he said the effort from many different people is taking shape. “We’re very happy for the collaboration that has gone into making this happen — city, province and federally,” said Robinson. “We appreciate everybody in the community grasping a hold of our vision and that we all see this as a great thing to make Brandon a better place to live.
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