This temporary shelter with 70 beds for people experiencing homelessness at 225 Russell Street, Victoria was open from March 21 to March 2023. BC Housing is now seeking to convert the site into 40 units of permanent purpose-built supportive housing.
History
The shelter, operated by Our Place Society, opened in March 2021 as an interim solution to address an immediate need in the community to bring people experiencing homelessness indoors while permanent, purpose-built supportive housing was built in the community. It closed in March 2023.
Long-term Vision
225 Russell Street is part of a long-term strategy to create supportive housing in the Capital Regional District. The goal for this site is to convert the building and create approximately 40-units of supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This purpose-built would include individual units for all residents, each with their own bathroom and kitchen.
BC Housing will select a non-profit operator for this project through a fair and open process. Staff would be on-site 24 hours a day, providing health and wellness programming, skills training and other supports.
BC Housing and the non-profit operator will work with local service providers to assess potential residents through a Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) process. They will offer the supportive homes to people based on their individual needs and supports available. The CAA process considers vulnerability in the community, neighbourhood and building considerations, accessibility to services and the housing operators’ experience. This process also ensures there is a balanced mix of residents in the building.
Community Engagement
BC Housing’s application to the City of Victoria for rezoning was approved by Council on May 23, 2024. BC Housing and our design partners hosted a Community Information Session on July 8, 2021. During this presentation, community members had the opportunity to view renderings, design elements, and ask questions related to the design of the building. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this session took place virtually. For privacy reasons we did not record the session, however a copy of the PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded below:
This temporary shelter with 70 beds for people experiencing homelessness at 225 Russell Street, Victoria was open from March 21 to March 2023. BC Housing is now seeking to convert the site into 40 units of permanent purpose-built supportive housing.
History
The shelter, operated by Our Place Society, opened in March 2021 as an interim solution to address an immediate need in the community to bring people experiencing homelessness indoors while permanent, purpose-built supportive housing was built in the community. It closed in March 2023.
Long-term Vision
225 Russell Street is part of a long-term strategy to create supportive housing in the Capital Regional District. The goal for this site is to convert the building and create approximately 40-units of supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This purpose-built would include individual units for all residents, each with their own bathroom and kitchen.
BC Housing will select a non-profit operator for this project through a fair and open process. Staff would be on-site 24 hours a day, providing health and wellness programming, skills training and other supports.
BC Housing and the non-profit operator will work with local service providers to assess potential residents through a Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) process. They will offer the supportive homes to people based on their individual needs and supports available. The CAA process considers vulnerability in the community, neighbourhood and building considerations, accessibility to services and the housing operators’ experience. This process also ensures there is a balanced mix of residents in the building.
Community Engagement
BC Housing’s application to the City of Victoria for rezoning was approved by Council on May 23, 2024. BC Housing and our design partners hosted a Community Information Session on July 8, 2021. During this presentation, community members had the opportunity to view renderings, design elements, and ask questions related to the design of the building. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this session took place virtually. For privacy reasons we did not record the session, however a copy of the PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded below:
