Victoria - 926/930 Pandora Avenue

Rendering of proposed building facing Mason Street

BC Housing is partnering with the City of Victoria and the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) to build 205 new supportive and affordable rental homes at 926/930 Pandora Avenue.

This proposed 20-storey development will have mix of about 158 affordable rental homes, 47 supportive homes and a 16,000 square-foot community space for recreation and childcare.

These new homes are crucial to meeting rapid population growth in the region. This project will provide much-needed housing for families and others in need of safe, secure and affordable homes during the ongoing housing crisis.

This project would also breathe new life into a long-vacant, designated high-density property that stretches nearly half a city block bordering on Victoria’s Downtown and North Park neighbourhoods.

Affordable Housing

CRHC will operate the 158 affordable rental homes. Residents will apply through the CRHC with eligibility based on income. Learn more and apply for affordable housing through the CRHC.

Supportive Housing

BC Housing will operate the 47 supportive homes through an experienced non-profit service provider.

Supportive housing services can include meals, counselling, health care referrals, substance-use services, life skills training and education and employment support.

BC Housing selects supportive housing residents using a Coordinated Access and Assessment model which matches people with the services they need and ensures there is a balanced mix of residents in the building. All residents will pay rent contributions and sign program agreements.

BC Housing and our operators are committed to creating a safe environment for supportive housing residents as well as the surrounding community. We do this by having:

• Trained staff on site 24/7
• Security features like lighting and cameras
• Policies for things like smoking and guests
• Regular property maintenance and cleaning

Rendering of proposed building facing Pandora Street

Development Process

Due to the urgent need, we are moving quickly in partnership with the City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District. Construction is currently planned to start in 2024 and end in late 2027. Residents would move into the building in early 2028.

In April 2022, Victoria City Council passed a new Rapid Deployment of Affordable Housing Resources process. This process is designed to speed up the construction of new non-market affordable rental and cooperative housing. To qualify, projects must be consistent with the City’s Official Community Plan, certain design guidelines and other key qualifying criteria.

Learn more about the City of Victoria’s Rapid Deployment of Affordable Housing Resources process and Official Community Plan.

Community Engagement

Under the City of Victoria’s Rapid Deployment of Affordable Housing Resources process, qualified projects do not need to go through rezonings with public hearings.

We want to keep neighbours and the community up to date, and we plan to share regular updates and answer questions throughout this multi-year project.

BC Housing, the City of Victoria and CRHC held online community information sessions on December 6, 7 and 8, 2022 to share updates and answer questions. A video recording of the December 8th Community Information Session for Pandora Avenue is available. Future sessions may also be held as the development moves forward.

We welcome questions and comments by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org