New 205-unit tower with affordable and supportive rental homes proposed for downtown Victoria
A new 20-storey rental tower in downtown Victoria could be the first of its kind to be put forward through a new municipal policy that's designed to speed up construction for housing.
The City of Victoria's "rapid development" policy allows non-profits, government, and co-op housing groups to avoid rezoning and hearing requirements.
However, the proposals must be for affordable housing or co-operative housing, and must be consistent with the city's official community plan, among other criteria.
"A policy like this could speed up the process by six months, a year, in some cases possibly even more," said BC Housing vice president Sara Goldvine.
BC Housing is leading the development of the 20-storey affordable and supportive housing tower, which has been proposed for the 900-block of Pandora Avenue.
The proposal includes 205 units in total, including 158 affordable rental homes and 47 supportive units – as well as 16,000 square feet of community space intended for child care and recreation.
A non-profit service provider would be contracted by BC Housing to manage the supportive housing units.
The non-profit would include outreach workers that offer skills training, employment help and connection to other community services.
BC Housing says it would also keep an eye on safety for the building and community, including security cameras and lights, 24/7 staff at the building, and policies for smoking and guests.
The development went through a trio of community engagement meetings this week. If the project moves forward, more future engagement sessions may be scheduled, according to BC Housing.
The proposed development falls in line with the province's plans to tackle B.C.'s housing shortage.
On Wednesday, Ravi Kahlon, who was named minister of the province’s new Ministry of Housing, said his three priorities to address the crisis would be "speed, supply and synergy."
If approved, BC Housing hopes to have the site ready for people to move in by 2028.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.