Saanich – Mount Tolmie Hospital

Supported by BC Housing, PHS Community Services Society operate a temporary shelter with approximately 42 beds for people experiencing homelessness in Mount Tolmie Hospital at 3690 Richmond Road in Saanich.
Mount Tolmie Hospital provides a safe and secure place to stay for the people who were living at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre Emergency Response Centre when it closed in June 2021.
Relocation
People living at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre arena were relocated to Mount Tolmie Hospital and other housing sites in June 2021 when our lease expired at that location. To prevent anyone to be displaced and ending up on the streets again BC Housing entered into a lease to use Mount Tolmie Hospital as an emergency shelter. PHS Community Services Society, an experienced non-profit operator, had been operating the shelter at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre arena and continue to operate the shelter at Mount Tolmie Hospital. This continuity of staffing minimized disruption to the existing shelter guests, many of whom have been living together for some time without issue and had developed a strong sense of community.
Temporary shelter
Due to the high number of people experiencing homelessness, existing shelters are at or near capacity on a nightly basis. COVID-19 pandemic has put an increased strain on shelters with them having to lower capacity limits. The site is being used as a temporary supported shelter, while permanent supportive housing is being developed in the Capital region.
Originally opened in June 2021, BC Housing entered into a lease with Island Health to operate Mount Tolmie Hospital as a shelter until end of that year. In December 2021, this lease was extended until Dec 31, 2022. Mount Tolmie Hospital currently provides vital emergency shelter. The future of the site is yet to be determined.
PHS Community Services Society
PHS Community Services Society operate the building and provide support services including daily meals, access to sanitary and hygiene facilities, and storage for belongings. PHS staff also provide residents with access and referral to health and wellness programs. Typically, a shelter of this type would provide:
- 24/7 staffing
- Onsite meals
- Access to laundry services, storage space and fenced outdoor space
- Proper hygiene facilities (shower and bathrooms)
- Sleeping pods that include a bed, mattress, side table and privacy walls for ease of cleaning and to reduce the spread of COVID, as well as being a more respectful way to provide shelter space
- Some residents have their own room, and some share a room
- Space for other service providers, like Island Heath, MSDPR, etc. to come in and provide services
- Harm reduction supplies and support for shelter guests
Managing more than 1,500 units across both Victoria and Vancouver, PHS offers a wide range of supportive housing, made possible by wraparound medical and personal supports. BC Housing has a strong historical relationship with PHS and is glad to be partnering with the PHS team again.
Community Engagement
BC Housing wants to be a good neighbour and provide useful information about this shelter to the community. On the right side of this page, you will find a printable factsheet and a who to call sheet which provides useful numbers, including a direct line to the shelter, and guidance on when to use them.
We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A or by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org
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