Community garden built in Campbell River to benefit supportive housing residents

FortisBC, City of Campbell River and Lookout Housing and Health Society built a community garden at Homewood supportive housing initiative  

Campbell River, B.C.  ̶  May 21, 2026: Residents at the Homewood supportive housing initiative in Campbell River, are benefiting from a new community garden built with the City of Campbell River and Lookout Housing and Health Society as part of FortisBC’s province-wide Community Giving Day initiative.

Several volunteers, including FortisBC employees, City staff, Lookout Society team members and residents, came together to build the shared outdoor space. The project included installing a greenhouse, raised garden beds, preparing soil and planting, and creating a space designed to support food-based learning, mental wellness and community connection.

The garden is located at Homewood, a 48-unit temporary supportive housing site that opened in November 2024 for individuals transitioning from shelters or encampments. The new space will provide residents with an opportunity to grow food, spend time outdoors and connect with one another.

FortisBC’s Community Giving Days program supports communities across British Columbia through volunteerism and targeted investments focused on safety, education and community well-being. For this project, FortisBC contributed funding toward the garden’s construction, materials and related infrastructure.

“Community Giving Days are one of the ways we live out our values and help to build stronger, more connected communities across British Columbia. This project in Campbell River is a great example of what’s possible when we work alongside local organizations to create spaces that support well-being, connection and a sense of belonging.” — Carmen LeBlanc, manager, community and Indigenous relations, FortisBC

“The community garden donated by FortisBC will create a significant positive impact on people's lives at Homewood in very real ways. It offers residents a chance to grow their own food, care for something together and feel a sense of calm and purpose each day. For people rebuilding their lives, this shared space supports health, connection and dignity, helping turn a place to live into a place to belong.” — Shayne Williams, CEO, Lookout Group of Nonprofits  

“Projects like this show how strong partnerships can create meaningful impact in our community. The Homewood supportive housing initiative is an important part of the City’s ongoing work with community partners to provide safe, supportive spaces for residents. Additions like this new garden create opportunities for connection, wellness and a sense of belonging, helping to strengthen the community today and into the future. We are grateful to FortisBC and Lookout Housing and Health Society for their collaboration.” — Mayor Kermit Dahl, City of Campbell River

Lookout Society operates housing, health and community programs across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and other complex challenges. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening communities across B.C., with Campbell River serving as a local example of that impact in action.

To learn more about FortisBC’s community investment initiatives, visit fortisbc.com/communitygiving.  

FortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc., both regulated utilities, do business as FortisBC, and are focused on providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, including natural gas, electricity and propane and continuing to acquire renewable and lower carbon energy, such as natural gas designated as Renewable Natural Gas. FortisBC employs more than 2,700 British Columbians and serves nearly 1.3 million customers in 135 British Columbian communities, and 58 First Nations communities across 150 Traditional Territories. FortisBC owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities, four regulated hydroelectric generating plants, approximately 7,350 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines and approximately 51,700 kilometres of gas transmission and distribution lines. FortisBC is indirectly, wholly owned by Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electricity and gas utility industry. FortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc. use the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC, visit fortisbc.com. For further information on Fortis Inc., visit fortisinc.com.

The City of Campbell River is a community and local government on the east coast of Vancouver Island, serving a growing community of more than 35,000 residents. Guided by an elected Council and provincial legislation, the City delivers dozens of services that support daily life, including water and sewer systems, roads and parks maintenance, recreation programs, and community safety services. As a regional hub, Campbell River offers a dynamic lifestyle shaped by its coastal and forest surroundings, with a strong focus on livability and community well-being. The City is committed to delivering quality services in a fiscally responsible manner that supports social, economic and environmental health—both now and for future generations. For more information, visit campbellriver.ca.  

Founded in 1971, Lookout Housing and Health Society operates 90 sites that span 23 communities in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. Lookout cares for vulnerable people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, assisting with housing and health solutions. Lookout provides services to almost 6,000 people every day through their health and social programs and they house over 2,000 people each night in shelters, supportive and affordable housing.  

Media Contacts

Image

 

Image

Image

Megan Kriger