National Defence Minister Bill Blair was at CFB Esquimalt on Wednesday to announce a $165-million, 480-room residential facility, but says that’s just the beginning.
National Defence Minister Bill Blair says the federal government is committed to “unlocking” underutilized lands for housing in Greater Victoria.
“I’ve made a commitment that if there are properties that are surplus to our needs in the Canadian Armed Forces we will make those available for public use,” said Blair. Blair was not specific about the amount of land or parcels in the region that could be targeted, but he said this year’s federal budget made it clear the government is exploring redevelopment of DND properties to build more homes. The department owns 622 properties across Canada totalling 2.2 million hectares.
Blair said the new building on the site of the Nelles Building at CFB Esquimalt “is not the end of the story.” About 200 people are on the wait list for housing, he said, noting most are from other locations in Canada and have been posted in the capital region, but are currently looking for a house.
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