ARCHIVED: Natural Gas Development
To provide more safe and secure housing for homeless people in Victoria, including those camping on the courthouse lawns, the B.C. government is purchasing the former Super 8 hotel located at 2915 Douglas St.
The Province is investing approximately $6.5 million to buy and renovate 51 units that will be converted into supportive housing for individuals needing short-term housing before moving into long-term stable housing. The purchase is expected to be finalized by the end of September and it is expected that tenants will move in by November.
A non-profit operator will be selected to take care of the day-to-day operation of the building and provide support services to clients including a meal program.
The Province is also investing $148,000 to provide Pacifica Housing with 20 more rent supplements and a full-time outreach worker. There are now five outreach workers helping to connect people in need at the courthouse camp to long-term housing.
Including the purchase of the Super 8 hotel and the recent acquisition of the Central Care Home, the B.C. government has invested $26 million to create 370 new units of shelter and transitional housing over the last year in Victoria to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Quote:
Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing –
“This is another step toward making sure people in the community who are homeless have a safe and secure place to stay. Our hope is that anyone at the courthouse camp who is in need of housing will take advantage of the almost 200 units of new housing we are opening in Victoria.”
Quick Facts:
- Last year, the Province invested nearly $32 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 5,150 Victoria households.
- The Province and the Capital Regional District recently entered into an agreement totalling $60 million that will create new affordable housing projects for people in need throughout the region.
- 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 104,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
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
Follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC_Housing (twitter.com)
