BC Housing reopened the 30-unit tiny home village (formerly Tiny Town) at 940 Caledonia Avenue in March 2024. Now called Caledonia Place, these temporary housing with supports are funded through the Province’s HEARTH program.
According to the 2023 Point-in-Time homeless count, at least 1,665 people are experiencing homelessness in Greater Victoria. The actual number is likely higher, as the count does not include people who are couch surfing or living in vehicles and may also need housing.
The existing tiny homes at 940 Caledonia Avenue represented our best option to offer more people safe, indoor spaces quickly. We expect Caledonia Place to remain open until at least Fall 2025.
The temporary units at Caledonia Place will provide interim housing for people who have been staying in shelters long term as they transition into permanent housing. This will, in turn, free up shelter spaces for people sheltering outdoors.
The Operator
BC Housing selected Our Place Society to operate Caledonia Place and provide services to the residents. Learn more about Our Place Society by visiting ourplacesociety.com.
Residents and Services
BC Housing and Our Place Society will offer the spaces at Caledonia Place primarily to people staying in local shelters who are ready to transition into temporary housing with supports.
Onsite support services will include:
Minimum 3 staff onsite 24/7
Health care referrals and wellness checks
Life skills training, employment assistance
Connection and referral to community services and support groups
Community Safety
Our Place Society and BC Housing are all committed to being good neighbours and the security and safety of residents, staff and neighbours is a priority.
Caledonia Place has a single-point of entry for controlled access in and out of the property. There are security cameras both inside and outside the site, and Our Place Society staff conduct regular perimeter checks. As well, there is a 'no guests' policy in place.
Additional safety and security features:
Caledonia Place has staff onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide support for residents and to manage the building. Staff are available to respond to concerns from neighbours.
During the overnight period there is an extra staff member on site, for a minimum of three staff available 24/7 with additional staff onsite during the day.
If concerns or problems occur with specific individuals on the project property, Our Place Society will work with the individual, and police when necessary, to find solutions.
Our Place Society staff and residents do regular sweeps of the property and the immediate area to help maintain cleanliness.
Residents will sign and be expected to abide by a Program Agreement that addresses expectations about appropriate and respectful behaviour.
Watch for upcoming FAQs with further details including how residents are selection under the HEARTH program.
Background
In December 2020, Aryze Development and the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region raised funds through a “Hey Neighbour” crowdfunding campaign to convert shipping containers into individual housing units for people experiencing homelessness in the community (called Tiny Town). BC Housing joined to support with operating funding, and the first residents arrived in May 2021. Tiny Town closed at the end of October 2023, as residents successfully moved into new permanent, purpose-built housing in the community.
Who to Call / When to Call
BC Housing’s mandate, through the Province, is to provide safe, affordable and quality housing for British Columbians. We recognize that creating safe neighbourhoods requires a coordinated approach with all levels of government, as well as Indigenous and community partners. Our role in this shared commitment does not include providing security services to neighbourhoods.
BC Housing — responsible for supporting our non-profit partners and municipalities through engagement activities, and by joining community conversations where appropriate.
Our Place Society – responsible for the property of Caledonia Place and will respond and work to resolve issues of noise, cleanliness of the property, damage or dumping on the property or in the immediate vicinity.
City Public Works – is responsible for public streets and sidewalks. They will respond to obstructions such as dumping or other cleanliness issues in public spaces.
BC Housing and Our Place Society are committed to being good neighbours. We will share updates with neighbours directly, including upcoming neighbourhood integration opportunities with HEARTH residents at Caledonia. In the meantime, we welcome all questions and comments:
BC Housing reopened the 30-unit tiny home village (formerly Tiny Town) at 940 Caledonia Avenue in March 2024. Now called Caledonia Place, these temporary housing with supports are funded through the Province’s HEARTH program.
According to the 2023 Point-in-Time homeless count, at least 1,665 people are experiencing homelessness in Greater Victoria. The actual number is likely higher, as the count does not include people who are couch surfing or living in vehicles and may also need housing.
The existing tiny homes at 940 Caledonia Avenue represented our best option to offer more people safe, indoor spaces quickly. We expect Caledonia Place to remain open until at least Fall 2025.
The temporary units at Caledonia Place will provide interim housing for people who have been staying in shelters long term as they transition into permanent housing. This will, in turn, free up shelter spaces for people sheltering outdoors.
The Operator
BC Housing selected Our Place Society to operate Caledonia Place and provide services to the residents. Learn more about Our Place Society by visiting ourplacesociety.com.
Residents and Services
BC Housing and Our Place Society will offer the spaces at Caledonia Place primarily to people staying in local shelters who are ready to transition into temporary housing with supports.
Onsite support services will include:
Minimum 3 staff onsite 24/7
Health care referrals and wellness checks
Life skills training, employment assistance
Connection and referral to community services and support groups
Community Safety
Our Place Society and BC Housing are all committed to being good neighbours and the security and safety of residents, staff and neighbours is a priority.
Caledonia Place has a single-point of entry for controlled access in and out of the property. There are security cameras both inside and outside the site, and Our Place Society staff conduct regular perimeter checks. As well, there is a 'no guests' policy in place.
Additional safety and security features:
Caledonia Place has staff onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide support for residents and to manage the building. Staff are available to respond to concerns from neighbours.
During the overnight period there is an extra staff member on site, for a minimum of three staff available 24/7 with additional staff onsite during the day.
If concerns or problems occur with specific individuals on the project property, Our Place Society will work with the individual, and police when necessary, to find solutions.
Our Place Society staff and residents do regular sweeps of the property and the immediate area to help maintain cleanliness.
Residents will sign and be expected to abide by a Program Agreement that addresses expectations about appropriate and respectful behaviour.
Watch for upcoming FAQs with further details including how residents are selection under the HEARTH program.
Background
In December 2020, Aryze Development and the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region raised funds through a “Hey Neighbour” crowdfunding campaign to convert shipping containers into individual housing units for people experiencing homelessness in the community (called Tiny Town). BC Housing joined to support with operating funding, and the first residents arrived in May 2021. Tiny Town closed at the end of October 2023, as residents successfully moved into new permanent, purpose-built housing in the community.
Who to Call / When to Call
BC Housing’s mandate, through the Province, is to provide safe, affordable and quality housing for British Columbians. We recognize that creating safe neighbourhoods requires a coordinated approach with all levels of government, as well as Indigenous and community partners. Our role in this shared commitment does not include providing security services to neighbourhoods.
BC Housing — responsible for supporting our non-profit partners and municipalities through engagement activities, and by joining community conversations where appropriate.
Our Place Society – responsible for the property of Caledonia Place and will respond and work to resolve issues of noise, cleanliness of the property, damage or dumping on the property or in the immediate vicinity.
City Public Works – is responsible for public streets and sidewalks. They will respond to obstructions such as dumping or other cleanliness issues in public spaces.
BC Housing and Our Place Society are committed to being good neighbours. We will share updates with neighbours directly, including upcoming neighbourhood integration opportunities with HEARTH residents at Caledonia. In the meantime, we welcome all questions and comments:
