Last year, the B.C. government provided approximately $32 million to support affordable housing for more than 5,100 low-income individuals, seniors and families in Victoria.

New Affordable Housing

• Since 2001, close to 1,180 units of affordable housing have been developed or preserved in Victoria.
• In October 2016, the Province announced $45 million in capital funding toward eight new affordable housing projects in Victoria that will provide 510 units for people in need.

Homeless Supports

• Last year, the Province provided over $13 million to support close to 990 housing units for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness in Victoria, including:
  • Nearly 150 permanent year-round homeless shelter spaces.
  • More than 400 subsidized or supportive units for homeless or at-risk individuals.
  • Approximately 430 homeless rent supplements.
• Additional temporary shelter spaces are available during extreme weather.
• Since November 2015, the B.C. government has created over 400 new units of shelter and transitional housing for homeless people in Victoria. This includes close to 200 housing units at the Central Care Home and Super 8 hotel.
• Homeless outreach and shelter workers in Victoria connect people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to housing, income assistance and a range of support services.
• The B.C. government partnered with the City of Victoria to build new supportive units for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including three new and upgraded developments:
  • Rock Bay Landing (23 supportive housing units and 86 emergency shelter beds)
  • Camas Gardens (44 units)
  • Swift House (23 units)

Support for Seniors and People with Disabilities

• The B.C. government provides support to more than 2,280 seniors' households in Victoria through a range of housing options, including:
  • More than 880 households receive Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) benefits. The program was expanded in 2006 and enhanced in 2014 to better meet the needs of low-income seniors. With the new enhanced benefit, the average monthly payment is expected to increase from approximately $150 to $175.
  • Close to 480 seniors live in supportive and assisted living units in Victoria.
  • There are more than 920 affordable homes for independent seniors in Victoria.
  • The Home Adaptations for Independence program offers financial assistance for home adaptations to help eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities improve accessibility and safety in their home.
  • More than 380 new units of housing for seniors and people with special needs have been created in Victoria since 2001.

Support for Families

• The B.C. government provides support to nearly 1,500 low-income families in Victoria through:
  • More than 220 low-income working families receive rent assistance to keep the cost of private market rental housing affordable.
  • Over 1,220 low-income families live in subsidized housing.
  • There are nearly 70 provincially-funded spaces available for women and women with children who are at risk of violence.
  • More than 350 units for families have been created in Victoria since 2001.