Victoria – Evergreen Terrace Redevelopment – Affordable Housing

Four people sit around a round table, working on documents and chatting with each other.

What is happening at Evergreen Terrace?

In 2022, BC Housing started a multi-year community planning process for the redevelopment of Evergreen Terrace. BC Housing plans to replace the aging buildings with better-quality, more liveable and more sustainable homes that will serve Evergreen Terrace tenants for decades to come. Redeveloping Evergreen Terrace will provide new housing for present and future residents as well as improvements to infrastructure and livability in the Quadra West neighbourhood.A series of three progressing arrows meant to represent a timeline. The first arrow says "Let's Imagine It Together - 2022." The second arrow: "Let's Plan It Together - 2023-2024." Third arrow: "Let's Build it Together - 2024+onward."

Phase 1 - Let’s Imagine It Together

During phase 1 of redevelopment planning - Let’s Imagine It Together - we worked with tenants and community members for over 18+ months to create a shared vision for the future of Evergreen Terrace. Thanks to their input and ideas, we learned that redevelopment is needed and possible. We were also able to create a strong vision and a set of guiding principles for the project. This included the critical need and support for the full spectrum of housing with emphasis placed on a desire to see below-market rentals through partnership agreements with not-for-profit housing providers.

BC Housing shared comprehensive tenant-support commitments and plans to address the phasing of construction so that no one living at Evergreen Terrace would be without a home during this process.

Phase 2 - Let’s Plan It Together – WE ARE HERE

Phase 2 of the redevelopment planning process - Let’s Plan it Together - involved meeting with the broader community and sharing what we heard from tenants of Evergreen Terrace. In 2023, the concept plan was developed with significant tenant and community input. It was submitted to the City of Victoria for Pre-Application Consultation with the neighbourhood Community Association Land Use Committee (CALUC). Feedback helped further shape the plan and prepare for a Rezoning Application to the City of Victoria, which was submitted in December 2023. Following City of Victoria staff review, we completed a Comprehensive Resubmission in June 2024, and a second Comprehensive Resubmission in November 2024 to address review comments.

The Future Evergreen - A Comprehensive Plan for Quadra West November 2024 shows how approximately 900 affordable and market-rate rental homes may be distributed across the site. Some buildings would be up to 6 storeys in height and select locations are proposed for taller buildings, with three at 15 storeys and one at 20 storeys in height. New resident and public open spaces are proposed, along with childcare and resident amenity areas as summarized in the Future Evergreen - Livability and Amenity Summary November 2024. Construction will take place in phases, over 10 to 15 years.

Next steps include ongoing engagement with tenants and stakeholders, leading up to the application being considered by the City of Victoria at a Council meeting in early 2025.

We invite you to view the Comprehensive Development Plan and provide your feedback on the City of Victoria’s Development Tracker (External link) site.

The rezoning application process could take 12-18 months from the time of initial application in December 2023.

Phase 3 - Let's Build It Together

Phase 3 of redevelopment planning - Let’s Build It Together - will start after the planning is complete and the City of Victoria has granted all the required permits. We currently expect the first phases of construction to start in 2025.

Supporting Tenants of Evergreen Terrace and Family Members of SpeqƏȠéutxw (SPAKEN) House

BC Housing will continue to work with Evergreen Terrace tenants and Family Members of SpeqƏȠéutxw (SPAKEN) House to make sure they have access to secure housing and their needs are met throughout planning and redevelopment. When planning the construction phases, our goal is for people to stay in their homes for as long as possible and minimize disruption for everyone.

Indigenous engagement

As part of the Evergreen Terrace redevelopment project, BC Housing is working to build strong Indigenous partnerships based on the Principles of Reconciliation.

BC Housing is engaging with the Lekwungen speaking peoples, the Songhees Nation and the Esquimalt Nation. We will explore a range of opportunities and work to understand how Indigenous culture and heritage could be incorporated into the redevelopment project. BC Housing acknowledges and offers gratitude to the Songhees Nation and the Esquimalt Nation on whose traditional lands we work.

How can I get involved?

BC Housing is committed to an inclusive, tenant-first approach to this redevelopment project. We invite all Evergreen Terrace tenants, Spaken House Family Members, and the entire Hillside-Quadra community to continue participating as we progress through the phases of redevelopment. Watch your mailboxes and continue to visit this webpage for news about upcoming information meetings, workshops, and other events. We welcome you to reach out with any questions by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org.

What is happening at Evergreen Terrace?

In 2022, BC Housing started a multi-year community planning process for the redevelopment of Evergreen Terrace. BC Housing plans to replace the aging buildings with better-quality, more liveable and more sustainable homes that will serve Evergreen Terrace tenants for decades to come. Redeveloping Evergreen Terrace will provide new housing for present and future residents as well as improvements to infrastructure and livability in the Quadra West neighbourhood.A series of three progressing arrows meant to represent a timeline. The first arrow says "Let's Imagine It Together - 2022." The second arrow: "Let's Plan It Together - 2023-2024." Third arrow: "Let's Build it Together - 2024+onward."

Phase 1 - Let’s Imagine It Together

During phase 1 of redevelopment planning - Let’s Imagine It Together - we worked with tenants and community members for over 18+ months to create a shared vision for the future of Evergreen Terrace. Thanks to their input and ideas, we learned that redevelopment is needed and possible. We were also able to create a strong vision and a set of guiding principles for the project. This included the critical need and support for the full spectrum of housing with emphasis placed on a desire to see below-market rentals through partnership agreements with not-for-profit housing providers.

BC Housing shared comprehensive tenant-support commitments and plans to address the phasing of construction so that no one living at Evergreen Terrace would be without a home during this process.

Phase 2 - Let’s Plan It Together – WE ARE HERE

Phase 2 of the redevelopment planning process - Let’s Plan it Together - involved meeting with the broader community and sharing what we heard from tenants of Evergreen Terrace. In 2023, the concept plan was developed with significant tenant and community input. It was submitted to the City of Victoria for Pre-Application Consultation with the neighbourhood Community Association Land Use Committee (CALUC). Feedback helped further shape the plan and prepare for a Rezoning Application to the City of Victoria, which was submitted in December 2023. Following City of Victoria staff review, we completed a Comprehensive Resubmission in June 2024, and a second Comprehensive Resubmission in November 2024 to address review comments.

The Future Evergreen - A Comprehensive Plan for Quadra West November 2024 shows how approximately 900 affordable and market-rate rental homes may be distributed across the site. Some buildings would be up to 6 storeys in height and select locations are proposed for taller buildings, with three at 15 storeys and one at 20 storeys in height. New resident and public open spaces are proposed, along with childcare and resident amenity areas as summarized in the Future Evergreen - Livability and Amenity Summary November 2024. Construction will take place in phases, over 10 to 15 years.

Next steps include ongoing engagement with tenants and stakeholders, leading up to the application being considered by the City of Victoria at a Council meeting in early 2025.

We invite you to view the Comprehensive Development Plan and provide your feedback on the City of Victoria’s Development Tracker (External link) site.

The rezoning application process could take 12-18 months from the time of initial application in December 2023.

Phase 3 - Let's Build It Together

Phase 3 of redevelopment planning - Let’s Build It Together - will start after the planning is complete and the City of Victoria has granted all the required permits. We currently expect the first phases of construction to start in 2025.

Supporting Tenants of Evergreen Terrace and Family Members of SpeqƏȠéutxw (SPAKEN) House

BC Housing will continue to work with Evergreen Terrace tenants and Family Members of SpeqƏȠéutxw (SPAKEN) House to make sure they have access to secure housing and their needs are met throughout planning and redevelopment. When planning the construction phases, our goal is for people to stay in their homes for as long as possible and minimize disruption for everyone.

Indigenous engagement

As part of the Evergreen Terrace redevelopment project, BC Housing is working to build strong Indigenous partnerships based on the Principles of Reconciliation.

BC Housing is engaging with the Lekwungen speaking peoples, the Songhees Nation and the Esquimalt Nation. We will explore a range of opportunities and work to understand how Indigenous culture and heritage could be incorporated into the redevelopment project. BC Housing acknowledges and offers gratitude to the Songhees Nation and the Esquimalt Nation on whose traditional lands we work.

How can I get involved?

BC Housing is committed to an inclusive, tenant-first approach to this redevelopment project. We invite all Evergreen Terrace tenants, Spaken House Family Members, and the entire Hillside-Quadra community to continue participating as we progress through the phases of redevelopment. Watch your mailboxes and continue to visit this webpage for news about upcoming information meetings, workshops, and other events. We welcome you to reach out with any questions by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Evergreen Terrace: Let’s Imagine it Together

    Survey deadline: July 30, 2022

    BC Housing is in the early stages of a community planning process for the future redevelopment of Evergreen Terrace at 2501 Blanshard Street in Victoria. The focus of the redevelopment is to create more sustainable, affordable housing and community spaces.

    At this time, we are looking to hear from tenants and the broader community, to gather insights and ideas on the project and how we can work to imagine the future of Evergreen Terrace together.

    This survey should take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Evergreen Terrace Redevelopment Planning Survey

    Survey deadline: April 30, 2022

    BC Housing is beginning to plan for the future redevelopment of Evergreen Terrace at 2501 Blanshard Street in Victoria. The focus of the redevelopment is to create more sustainable, affordable housing and community spaces.

    As a resident of Evergreen Terrace or a Family Member of Spaken House, your involvement in planning your new community is important to us. Together we can make it continue to feel like home.

Page last updated: 08 Jan 2025, 08:29 AM