How Do We End Homelessness in Greater Victoria?

We CAN end homelessness in Greater Victoria by creating additional supportive and affordable housing.
The Coalition’s 2012 Housing Procurement Action Plan calls for the creation of more than 950 units of supportive housing to end homelessness by 2018 – through both new construction and through the provision of rental supplements. Our goal is to ensure that all those that want a home have access to one in a timely fashion.

Successes

Since 2009, 245 net new units of subsidized housing have been added to Greater Victoria’s housing stock. These units have varying types of associated supports tailored to the unit’s target client group. Among those net new units, 162 are new transitional housing units, targeted for those at risk of homelessness or formerly homeless; and 101 new units created for low income families.

Key supportive housing projects, recently completed or underway, include:

  • Queens Manor | 36 units of supported housing
  • Swift House | 23 supported housing units
  • Hope Centre | 25 supported housing units
  • Siem Lelum | 39 affordable family housing units
  • Clover Place | 18 supported housing units
  • Camas Gardens | 44 supported housing units
  • Rock Bay Landing | 84 shelter beds & 23 transitional units
  • Olympic Vista | 36 units of supported housing

Next Steps, the Housing Procurement Action Plan

The 2012 Housing Procurement Action Plan sets out specific ways to meet the needs of Greater Victoria’s residents for permanent housing with supports. Depending on the individual’s needs supportive housing can range from purpose built structures with 24/7 staff support to rent supplements that house individuals in the private market with regular visits from support workers.

Key Features of the Plan:

  • 245 rent supplement units will be added in market rental housing.
  • 719 units will be created through new construction, and acquisition (renovation, repurposing) of existing buildings;
  • By 2018, the annual cost of debt service, operating, support and rent supplements will be approximately $13.70 million.
  • The annual per unit costs of new housing are estimated at $16,748 and the annual per unit costs of rent supplement units / tenants are $6,800.
  • By 2018, 964 people will have been permanently housed and receiving supports to help them live independently at a lower expenditure than the high cost of repeated stays in emergency shelters, jails, and hospitals.