Mayor Pushes For Sober Housing in Nanaimo, But Province Says No

August 28, 2025

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog is voicing frustration after the provincial government declined to support a city request for sober supportive housing, despite growing local calls for such services.

Krog and city council had hoped the province would consider designating a planned 50-unit supportive housing development at 250 Terminal Avenue as "dry" or recovery-oriented housing, to help people in addiction recovery maintain a clean and sober lifestyle.

But the B.C. Housing Ministry has confirmed the project will not be dedicated as sober housing, stating it will follow a "housing-first" model – a policy that provides housing with no preconditions such as sobriety, followed by wraparound services.

Mayor Baffled By Provincial Policy

Mayor Krog expressed disappointment, questioning why there can be well-funded facilities for people in active addiction, but no designated housing for those trying to stay clean.

"Shouldn't they have access to housing where their fellow residents are, in fact, trying to or are staying free of substance abuse?" he said speaking to the Times Colonist.

The province has pointed to the upcoming Sparrow supportive housing project (78 units slated for early 2026) as a space that will offer some support for those wanting to limit substance exposure – but it too is not a sober facility.

Substance Abuse Expert Backs Krog

Experts like Michael Walsh, an addictions specialist and executive director of Home Based Recovery, back the city's call. Walsh noted that relapse risk increases when individuals in recovery are placed in environments with active substance use.

"A sober living residence with structure, accountability, life skills, and peer support can be critical," he said.

Krog emphasized that people in recovery are part of the community too, and deserve targeted support.

"It's not the Ten Commandments," Krog said of the province's housing model. "They can change the rules."

As the province maintains its position, the city continues to push for more nuanced housing solutions – ones that reflect the diverse recovery journeys of Nanaimo residents.