People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Victoria will soon have access to a new winter shelter.

The B.C. government will provide $400,000 in operating funding plus $25,000 toward start-up costs for a 40-bed shelter that will be open 24/7 and provide three meals per day. The City of Victoria will provide $75,000 in rent supplements and the United Way will contribute $25,000.

Our Place will operate the shelter. Shelter staff will assess people once they arrive, relocate them to appropriate housing and refer them to health services.

The Province and the City of Victoria are working to finalize a suitable location for the shelter, which once opened, will operate until the end of April 2016.

The B.C government and the city have been working together to identify housing solutions for people living at the homeless camp at the Victoria courthouse property. Outreach workers continue to attend the camp to make sure the campers are aware of the services available to them.

The new shelter will be in addition to the 150 year-round homeless shelter spaces in Victoria, as well as the 145 shelter spaces that are available during extreme weather. The Province also recently provided $184,000 to Our Place to open a 40-bed overnight shelter at First Metropolitan United Church.

Quotes:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing –

“We’ll be encouraging people who need housing at the camp to take advantage of the new shelter, once it opens. By getting into a shelter, these people can put themselves in a better position to stabilize their situation, have any health needs assessed and begin the process towards moving to more stable, permanent housing.”

Mayor Lisa Helps, City of Victoria –

"The funding for this shelter will provide much needed services to Victoria's most vulnerable citizens. We are grateful that we can expand our shelter capacity this year by 40 beds, and get people inside into warm safe spaces, so we can then connect them more permanent housing that will serve them beyond the winter months."

Don Evans, executive director, Our Place Society –

“This new shelter will operate under the premise that individuals who come through our doors will find a safe space with comfort, support and an opportunity to transition their lives. We look forward to working with BC Housing, the City of Victoria, and our community partners in this step towards permanent housing for the people of Victoria who need it most.”

Patricia Jelinski, CEO, United Way Greater Victoria –

“United Way is here to support our community in times of need, serving our most vulnerable citizens today and working with our partners to find long term and sustainable solutions. The proposed facility will address the immediate needs of the community by providing shelter to those who are currently sleeping outdoors, and the funding we are providing will also assist in connecting people with the services they need to be successful in more permanent housing. We are pleased to be working with BC Housing, the City of Victoria, Our Place and our community partners to improve the lives of our citizens and to build a strong and caring community for all.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• This year, more than 102,500 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• The Province provided approximately $213 million last year to support more than 13,200 emergency shelter spaces, subsidized housing units and rent supplements for those who were homeless across British Columbia.
• Last year, the Province invested over $19.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 5,100 Victoria households.

Learn More:

For more information about services and supports for the homeless in Victoria, please visit: www.housingmattersbc.ca/docs/fs_Homeless%20Supports_Victoria.pdf

To see a map of permanent and temporary shelters in B.C., please visit: http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Emergency_Housing/Map