A Courtenay street full of little houses holds a big place in Courtenay’s history, and the Courtenay Heritage Advisory Commission is hosting an event to formally recognize the importance of this distinctive community.

The “40 Houses” neighbourhood is being commemorated with the unveiling of a new permanent plaque on Saturday, June 24 at 2:00 pm at the corner of 17^th Street and McPhee Avenue. Everyone is welcome.

Lawrence Burns, chair of the Courtenay Heritage Advisory Commission, says the neighbourhood played an important role in the return of veterans to Courtenay following the second World War.

“After the war, there was a housing shortage, not just in Courtenay, but across Canada,” said Burns. “These houses provided a modest, affordable place to live for veterans and their families as they reestablished their lives back in Canada.”

The 40 Houses neighbourhood was completed in 1949, with rents ranging from $30 to $37.80 monthly. Houses were between 713 to 891 square feet. The successful applicants were judged based on need, their length of service in Canada and overseas, as well as their marital status and number of dependents. The 40 houses are between the E&N Rail Line, 17^th Street, Lewis Avenue, and 18^th Street. Similar housing developments were created across the country.

For more information about the plaque unveiling, call Erin Ferguson at 250-334-4441 or email planning@courtenay.ca

• Learn more about the work of the Courtenay Heritage Advisory Commission