At our recent AGM, Mayor Dean Fortin, Co-Chair of the Coalition’s Leadership Council announced our much anticipated Housing Pipeline List.

The Housing Pipeline List is a list of projects that act as priorities for the Coalition. They are all achievable and will help end homelessness in Greater Victoria.

Housing Pipeline List:

1. Hope Centre, Sooke – A proposal to transform the existing St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Sooke into a four storey facility that will incorporate 25 rental units targeted towards supportive housing for aboriginal and non-aboriginal homeless youth. (Proponents: M’akola Housing Society and St. Vincent de Paul Society)
2. Cottage Grove Manor, Saanich – A proposal to develop a new 43-unit supportive housing project for seniors, similar to the recently completed Olympic Vista Project in Saanich. (Proponent: Victoria Cool Aid Society)
3. Rosalie’s Village, Saanich – A proposal to develop a new 41-unit family housing facility with accompanying day care centre to target young single mothers and children experiencing homelessness and older single women at risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse. (Proponent: St. Vincent de Paul Society)
4. Cedar Grove, Victoria – A proposal to redevelop an existing 21-unit supportive housing facility and site to contain a minimum of 60 units supportive housing
5. Central Care Home, Victoria – A proposal to transform the seniors’ complex care facility into a 140-unit project of low income singles and a component identified for homeless supportive housing. This facility is still owned by the Baptist Housing Society and would need to be purchased. (Proponent: Victoria Cool Aid Society)

How was the List chosen?

Under the guidance of the Housing Working Group, the Coalition engaged in an Expression of Interest process to determine what future projects are possible. These submissions were then evaluated by a committee consisting of key members of the Management Committee. The submissions were assessed using the criteria that included community needs and support, value for money and other aspects of project feasibility.

Homelessness is not just a downtown issue. People experience homelessness throughout the Capital Region and this list demonstrates the need that’s present in many municipalities to address homelessness.

For more information about Homelessness in Greater Victoria: victoriahomelessness.ca