For the past 30 years Northern Society for Domestic Peace (NSDP) has operated the Passage Transition House for women and children fleeing violence or in crisis seeking a safe place to stay.

It is an essential service that they provide in northwest BC, and the critical need for this kind of support can’t be overstated. The transition house in Smithers is just one of a few in northern bc. But that is about to change.

12 new townhouse Transition Housing units are currently under construction in Smithers and 7 second stage housing units in Hazelton are nearing completion. This added capacity will not only allow NSDP to expand their housing support, but create new critically needed spaces, especially in Hazleton.

"We've needed more housing like this across the region for many years," said Carol Sechuck, executive director of NSDP. "Seeing it coming together means we'll be able to help more women and children."

Once completed in 2023, the units will quickly we occupied by single women and women with children with half of the units designated for pregnant and parenting young mothers. Supportive housing that has been more than a decade in the making.

Listen to the full episode below.