A homeless housing project in downtown Victoria has hit a snag now that a key ally has withdrawn its support for the facility.
Christ Church Cathedral Educational Society says it can no longer support a “low-barrier housing facility” proposed to go in a former senior’s centre just metres away from its elementary school on Vancouver Street.
The school was initially open to its possible neighbor, but the board said it changed its mind after it felt its concerns weren’t being taken seriously enough by the Victoria Cool Aid Society, the not-for-profit group behind the project.
“We think it’s a large concentration of people with some extraordinary needs right next to an elementary school,” said head of school Stuart Hall. “We tried to make it work with them. We don’t believe that it’s workable for our school anymore.”
The deal to buy the former Mount Edwards Court Care Home is not done, but the Cool Aid Society has already raised close to $2-million toward its offer of $3.5.-million.
Cool Aid spokesman Don McTavish says despite the success it has had fundraising, the organization clearly has some public relations work to do in the community.
“I think clearly, we haven’t done our job well enough in describing our services and the kind of way we operate,” said McTavish. “Folks that are homeless are just like you and I, and there’s no reason to be afraid of them.”
While some residents in the neighbourhood are on board with the project, parents of students at Christ Church Cathedral have spoken out against it.
The school denies that it’s a case of NIMBYism, but acknowledged it’s wrestling with teaching Christian values while protecting its other priorities.
“A value that we also hold is the protection of the children, and it’s the board’s fiduciary responsibility not only to protect the children but also the long-term sustainability of the schools,” Hall said.
An open letter from the Christ Church Educational Society said the group continues to support efforts to find long-term solutions for the poor and homeless, and that there are alternative locations available.
