Save-On-Foods arena shelter to close, residents to move to Mount Tolmie Hospital
Dozens of homeless people who are sheltering in Victoria’s Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre will be moved to the vacant Mount Tolmie Hospital in Saanich this week.
The province says its shelter lease with the Victoria arena could not be renewed, forcing BC Housing to find new accommodations for 43 people who are still living in the arena.
"We've seen first-hand the positive impact safe and secure shelter have on people experiencing homelessness, as well as the broader community," said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, in a statement Monday.
New accommodations at Mount Tolmie Hospital, and other existing shelter locations around the region, will allow residents to have their own rooms and access social supports.
"We have worked hard over the last year to move people living outdoors inside and we don't want to send people back to living on the streets,” Eby added. “This new Mount Tolmie Hospital shelter will allow guests to have rooms of their own and ensure they can continue to access the supports they need so that their journey to wellness is not interrupted."
The province says the move is necessary because the arena is hosting the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Olympic Qualifying Tournament from June 29 to July 4.
PHS Community Services Society, which has been providing resident services at the arena, will remain the service provider at Mount Tolmie Hospital, located at 3690 Richmond Rd.
The province says this continuity of staffing will minimize disruption to the existing residents, many of whom have been living together for several months.
Island Health and BC Housing have entered into an agreement that enables BC Housing to occupy the hospital for use as a temporary shelter for the next 12 months, according to the province.
The long-term goal for those living in the temporary shelter is to secure suitable supportive housing in the Greater Victoria area, the province added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.