Victoria supportive housing facility's opening delayed
The opening of a supportive housing facility for 50 young people in Victoria has been delayed despite construction being complete, and outreach advocates say an extension may be needed to avoid displacing a dozen of the anticipated tenants.
They’re currently living in North Park’s Tiny Homes Village, which was established during the pandemic to support unhoused people.
The site is set for closure on Sept. 30, but the new BC Housing facility some of the tenants are supposed to move to isn’t ready to open.
“We’re hoping that city council will give us an extension for one more month so that we’re not kicking people out onto the street,” says Our Place Society’s Grant McKenzie.
BC Housing built and furnished 50 supportive homes in a permanent facility on Meares Street. It’s designed to come with support services for people aged 19 to 27 who are marginalized and experiencing homelessness.
“We’re really close to being able to bring the site online,” says BC Housing spokesperson Sara Goldvine. “We know that, in particular, youth face very high rates of homelessness in the region and we all want to be able to move them indoors and provide them with the housing they need.”
Beacon Community Services was hired in spring 2022 and the chief executive officer says staff anticipated taking on operations in August.
“However, there has been an unanticipated delay in BC Housing finalizing our operating agreement,” says Tricia Gueulette.
Both of the parties are staying quiet about the nature of those conversations and neither is sharing details on where there may be a breakdown in communication.
“We are fully staffed and look forward to meeting the neighbours and moving folks in as soon as we have an operating agreement that ensures a successful, safe and supportive model for residents, staff and the community,” adds Gueulette in a statement to CTV News.
The city has been extending the licence on the Tiny Homes Village, and Our Place Society, the manager of the site, is hopeful council will do that again.
BC Housing says it’s committed to ensuring the dozen young people living in the tiny homes are not displaced amid the delay.
“Youth who’ve experienced some really significant barriers in their lives so we really appreciate their patience,” says Goldvine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2-hour wildfire evacuation notice issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods
A wildfire evacuation alert for some Fort McMurray residents has been updated to a two-hour evacuation notice.
Sask. RCMP provide update on 'significant' sexual assault, child exploitation investigation
Saskatchewan RCMP are set to provide an update on what the service calls a 'significant' sexual assault and internet child exploitation investigation.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.