A new second stage housing facility that is under construction in Terrace is hoping to provide safe and affordable housing for women and children leaving violent situations.

Ksan Society is the lead social service agency in Terrace, and works to provide affordable housing, counseling, and food security programs to those who need it. With housing being unaffordable for most, women may not be able to afford to leave their situations, making this facility a crucial local resource.

Executive Director of Ksan Society Amanda Owens explains that the building will offer 22 units of secure and affordable housing as well as being staffed to offer support services.

Owens had three parcels of land when she came up with the idea to expand the second stage housing in 2018. A team was then put together consisting of Ksan, B.C. Housing, M’akola Development Services, and the Terrace city council.

City Coun. David Block explained that although the city’s Affordable Housing Fund has not been replenished since it’s establishment in 2014, they remain committed to supporting housing for those who are at risk or marginalized. 

Block says the city has been supportive from the initial funding proposal, which consisted of data from a housing needs assessment, to the design of the facility. 

Ground was broken for the project in June on the corner of Lazelle and Munroe. Construction is expected to be complete in a year and a half, which will place the total development time between five and six years. 

This project is one of three housing efforts being developed right now, with another M’akola Development happening just across the street from Ella’s Place, and Owens saying they are currently in the early stages of another project.

Listen to the radio story below: