‘I wish we weren’t seeing delays’: Councillors say premiums are to blame for modular unit delays

This comes after a recent report showed modular units in Halifax won’t be installed until late January and will not be ready for occupancy until mid-March

CITYnews halifax \ Chris Halef

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Regional councillors say they wish plans to open modular housing units in Halifax weren’t delayed, adding the biggest challenge they are facing are premiums.

This comes after a recent report showed modular units in Halifax won’t installed until late January and will not be ready for occupancy until mid-March.

Councillor Lindell Smith told CityNews Halifax unfortunately, they are building at a time where materials and workers are at a premium.

“We have a goal and we’re going to work our hardest to meet that goal,” he said. “But when it comes to the construction industry in general and even access to materials, there’s a good chance we’re going to see delays and even some cost increases.”

Councillor Pamela Lovelace echoed similar sentiments, saying the municipality is doing everything it can to move this forward.

“We’re not in the business of public housing, we’re not in the business of shelters, we’re filling a gap that the province has left,” she said.

Smith said this not what regional council wanted.

“I wish we could say we have people moving into the modulars right now but we’re in a scenario where materials and access to workforce is at a premium and it’s showing with trying to get these modulars in the ground and completed,” said Smith.

Lovelace notes that the delay is limited to the Halifax side as the modular units destined for Dartmouth on Church Street may be ready very soon

On Tuesday, councillors will discuss the report which also shows HRM wants to spend an additional $1.2 million on the modular units.

In a news release early Monday evening, HRM said it expects the installation of most of the modular units in Dartmouth at the Alderney Drive site near Church Street to be completed Tuesday, with hopes they could be ready for occupancy by late January.

“It’s important to note that exact timing of occupancy is dependent upon the province, which is responsible for determining placement of individuals and providing wrap-around services onsite through its service provider (Out of the Cold),” said HRM in a news release.

“Gray Arena will remain operational until alternate accommodations have been offered by the province to all individuals currently at that location.”

Once the Dartmouth site is finished, the focus will shift to Halifax.