Victoria – 225 Russell Street

Thank you for your inquiry. The project on Russell Street is part of a long-term strategy in the capital region.  

While this shelter has been operating as a temporary housing solution, other permanent supportive housing options are being completed in the Capital Regional District (CRD) to create permanent housing solutions for the existing residents. More information on these projects can be found here: Capital Region | Let's Talk Housing BC (letstalkhousingbc.ca). 

BC Housing has engaged the community on a redevelopment proposal for 40 units of supportive housing and submitted an application for the municipal rezoning process. We are expecting to go to a public hearing in late Summer and hoping to start construction in early 2023. Information on the rezoning proposal is available on the Let’s Talk page (July 8 info session): https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/victoria-225-russell. The targeted move into this new supportive housing is planned for spring 2024.

Thank you for your inquiry. We recognize that these are challenging times for everyone. There is an urgent need to house people experiencing homelessness in Victoria. Point-in-time homeless counts in 2020 found there are over 1,500 people experiencing homelessness in the city. People who experience homelessness are as varied as any other neighbour. They may be seniors, people with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, and can include people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use; however, it is important to note that this is not always the case.  

B.C. is facing many challenges with respect to housing, homelessness, and health in communities across the province. This has only been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created significant health and safety concerns for our province’s most vulnerable. A common misconception is that people experiencing homelessness are “not from here” and that supportive housing “brings problems” into the neighbourhood that did not exist before. The homelessness PiT counts show us that most people experiencing homelessness in Victoria are from Victoria.

For more information on homelessness counts in Victoria, please visit: https://www.crd.bc.ca/docs/default-source/housing-pdf/housing-planning-and-programs/crd-pit-count-2020-community-report-infographic-2020-07-31.pdf?sfvrsn=813b1dcc_2 and/or: https://www.crd.bc.ca/docs/default-source/housing-pdf/housing-planning-and-programs/crd-pit-count-2020-community-report-2020-07-31.pdf?sfvrsn=8d3b1dcc_2

The Russell Street shelter was set up as an emergency response to the homeless crisis in and the COVID-19 pandemic. Homelessness is an issue throughout the whole province, and we are working extremely hard to build supportive homes throughout the province and Capital region. BC Housing is continuing to work closely with the City of Victoria and Island Health (who are both members of the Community Advisory Committee), to address the needs of residents of the Russell Street shelter. VicPD is also an active participant in the CAC and has responded to community requests by increasing and extending patrols in this area; however, they have noted that Russell Street has not generated as many high ranking concerns and they are positive about this situation. BC Housing cannot direct the resources of VicPD of the fire department; this is up to the City. 

225 Russell is part of a long-term strategy to create supportive housing in the Capital region. After 18 to 24 months operating as a temporary shelter, this building will be converted into 40-units of supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness – a presentation was shared with the community and is available on this Let’s Talk Housing project page: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/victoria-225-russell. All units will have a bathroom and kitchen and provide housing with a person-centered approach that meets people where they are to help them thrive. Supportive housing is for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with varying health and personal challenges who need support to achieve and maintain housing stability. The supportive housing model is unique in that all residents in supportive housing have made a choice to live there and are able to access the services provided by non-profit housing operators, such as life-skills training, and connections to primary health care, mental health and/or harm reduction services, and employment and life-skills programming. Residents here will be selected through Coordinated Access to ensure this building best suits their needs. As part of this, BC Housing will continue to work very closely with Island Health to make sure the correct supports are in place for the new residents. 

Supportive housing is an opportunity for people to leave the streets and shelter system for safe and stable housing, working towards improved quality of life. For more information about supportive housing, please visit: https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/housing-with-support/supportive-housing    

BC Housing’s supportive housing buildings are operated based on the widely recognized and proven Housing First model. 

Residents at these sites, and all other supportive housing buildings that BC Housing is affiliated with, are permitted to make their own choices in regard to lifestyle. This includes the decision to abstain or use drugs/alcohol in the privacy of their homes. If they choose to use, the operators will work with each tenant to ensure they use safely.

Harm reduction acknowledges that many people may not be in a position to remain abstinent. The harm reduction approach meets people where they are at and provides an option to engage safely with peers, medical and social services. The overarching goal of the harm reduction approach is to prevent the negative consequences of substance use and to improve health. Harm reduction approaches and programming are seen as a best practice for engaging with individuals with substance use issues.   

However, it is important to note that not everyone who moves into the shelter will use alcohol or drugs, nor do they all require support for substance use. They are members of the community who may be seniors, people who are employed but are unable to afford housing, or people with disabilities.

Residents of the shelter will be able to have visitors during the day, but they will not be permitted to stay overnight.

These sites are people's homes and will make the choice to use or not use substances in their homes. Unless their substance is prescribed, it is not provided by the health care system – clients acquire their substance on their own but can use in their homes and receive supports to reduce the risk.

Long standing and internationally used evidence-based, client-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with addiction and substance use while not requiring people to abstain. Harm reduction services may include a series of programs, services and practices. Key to the harm reduction approach is that give people a choice in how they can minimize harms through non-judgmental and non-coercive strategies in order to enhance skills and knowledge to live safer and healthier lives.

A contact information sheet for the operator of the Russell Street property is in development and will be posted on this Let’s Talk site soon.  

Thank you for your message. We agree this situation is complex and challenging.

There is an urgent need to house people experiencing homelessness in Victoria. Point-in-time homeless counts in 2020 found there are over 1,500 people experiencing homelessness in the city.

We know that street homelessness isn’t working for anyone—not for those who are homeless, local businesses, or their neighbours. When vulnerable people have stable housing with supports, they can access things like health care and skills training to help rebuild their lives, supporting healthy and safe communities for everyone.

The temporary shelter will remain open for 18 months and may be extended an additional six months, if needed.  Following its use as a temporary shelter, BC Housing will engage the community on a redevelopment proposal for 40 units of supportive housing, which will follow the municipal rezoning process. 

Sites for supportive housing are selected based on various criteria. BC Housing looks to acquire property based on community need and where there is an urgent need for more housing. People without homes are often only able to focus on basic survival needs. The Housing First model increases the likelihood of people succeeding in stabilizing their lives—once someone moves into supportive housing, they are no longer homeless, and can focus on improving their well-being.

Please be assured we want everyone who moves into the property at Russell Street to live with dignity. Wraparound supports will include:

• 24/7 staffing 
• Onsite meals 
• Access to laundry facilities, 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 
• Space for other service providers, like Island Heath, MSDPR, etc. to come in and provide services 
• Harm reduction supplies and support within the shelter.  

 
It takes a community to tackle complex issues like homelessness. A Community Advisory Committee will be established with representatives from Island Health, the non-profit housing operator, local businesses and schools, and community members at large, to proactively address any concerns regarding operations. 

There is an urgent need to house people experiencing homelessness in Victoria. Point-in-time homeless counts in 2020 found there are over 1,500 people experiencing homelessness in the city. 

We know that street homelessness isn’t working for anyone—not for those who are homeless, local businesses, or their neighbours. When vulnerable people have stable housing with supports, they can access things like health care and skills training to help rebuild their lives, supporting healthy and safe communities for everyone.

Yes dogs will be permitted in the shelter.

With regard to lighting, BC Housing Design and Construction Standards consider safety features of the housing. This approach includes an assessment to ensure features are included such as maximizing views of parking areas, entrances, sidewalks and other public spaces, and would include security features, such as cameras, fob entry, fencing, gates and lighting.  

People are living on the streets, in parks, in cars and precariously housed in our community. These new shelter beds would bring people inside and provide a gateway to services and housing options. Without access to shelter and housing options, people will continue to live on the street with deteriorating health and have higher impacts on our neighbourhoods and community. 

Both staff and guests of the shelter would be committed to keeping the direct area surrounding the property maintained, just as any other responsible neighbour. 

If garbage or needles are discovered in any neighbourhood, people are able to call the society’s designated phone number for clean-up services.