136 new supportive housing units opening in Greater Victoria this spring
Three new supportive housing facilities containing more than 130 units are opening in B.C.’s capital region over the next several months, the provincial and federal governments announced Friday.
The first of the three buildings, called House of Courage, has already opened in Vic West though residents have not yet moved in.
Located at 865 Catherine St., the four-storey facility includes 45 units for Indigenous people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
House of Courage is operated by the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society and the facility will provide daily meal services, employment and life-skills programs, 24-hour staff support, culturally appropriate supports and health and wellness services.
The second building will open at 2933, 2941 and 2949 Albina St. in Saanich and in April.
This facility will include 52 new homes with supports, according to the province.
The third building will open sometime in "spring 2023" in Central Saanich at 7606 E. Saanich Rd. and includes 39 units with supports.
Each structure was designed using modular construction with funding from the provincial and federal governments.
Moving forward, the B.C. government will provide each facility with annual operating funding.
"The need for supportive housing in Victoria has reached a critical level," said Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill.
"These 135 new modular homes will provide vulnerable members of our community with an affordable and safe place to call home, while accessing the support services that they need," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.