The Victoria Cool Aid Society was given the green light to turn a former hotel on Douglas Street into temporary transitional housing.
Victoria council approved the proposal earlier in the week regarding the former Tally Ho Hotel.
The building will be used for 52 units of housing and the temporary use permit will be valid for a maximum of three years.
The city’s mayor says it was a difficult decision because there were many objections from people living in the neighbourhood.
“I think the challenges in the neighbourhood are largely from the Rock Bay shelter which has been oversubscribed since it opened,” said Lisa Helps. “The housing at Tally Ho is very similar to the 90 or so housing units on Pandora Street right up from city hall.”
The mayor says after three years the Victoria Cool Aid Society will redevelop the site in consultation with the community.
