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.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ibrahim Ali found guilty of killing 13-year-old girl in B.C.
A jury has found Ibrahim Ali guilty of killing a 13-year-old girl whose body was found in a Burnaby, B.C., park in 2017.
Minnesota grocery store clerk dies after customer impales him with a golf club, police say
A Minneapolis store clerk died after a customer beat him and impaled him with a golf club, police said. The 66-year-old clerk was attacked Friday at the Oak Grove Grocery, a small neighborhood store in a residential area near downtown Minneapolis. A 44-year-old suspect is jailed on suspicion of murder.
'Shadows of children': For the youngest hostages, life moves forward in whispers
After seven weeks held hostage in the tunnels of Gaza, they are finally free to laugh and chat and play. But some of the children who have come back from captivity are still reluctant to raise their voices above a whisper.
A Soviet-era statue of a Red Army commander taken down in Kyiv
City workers in Kyiv on Saturday dismantled an equestrian statue of a Red Army commander, the latest Soviet monument to be removed in the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion last year.
Protests at UN climate talks, from ceasefire calls to detainees, see 'shocking level of censorship'
Activists designated Saturday a day of protest at the COP28 summit in Dubai. But the rules of the game in the tightly controlled United Arab Emirates meant sharp restrictions on what demonstrators could say, where they could walk and what their signs could portray.
Bill 15: Quebec health reform passes after gov't invokes closure
After sitting through the night, early Saturday morning, members of the Quebec legislature finally passed Bill 15 to reform the health-care network, voting 75 to 27.
Marathon Conservative carbon tax filibuster ends after nearly 30 consecutive hours of House votes
The Conservative-prompted filibuster in the House of Commons ended Friday night, after MPs spent nearly 30 hours voting non-stop on the government's spending plans.
New U.S. aid for Ukraine by year-end seems increasingly of out reach as GOP ties it to border security
A deal to provide further U.S. assistance to Ukraine by year-end appears to be increasingly out of reach for President Joe Biden. The impasse is deepening in Congress despite dire warnings from the White House about the consequences of inaction as Republicans insist on pairing the aid with changes to America's immigration and border policies.
Israel presses ahead with bombarding Gaza, including areas it told Palestinians to evacuate to
Israeli warplanes struck parts of the Gaza Strip in relentless bombardment Saturday, hitting some of the dwindling bits of land it had told Palestinians to evacuate to in the territory's south. The strikes came a day after the United States vetoed a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, despite its wide support.
Vancouver
-
Ibrahim Ali found guilty of killing 13-year-old girl in B.C.
A jury has found Ibrahim Ali guilty of killing a 13-year-old girl whose body was found in a Burnaby, B.C., park in 2017.
-
RCMP seeking to dispose of evidence from Robert Pickton case, prompting concerns from advocates
The B.C. RCMP is seeking to return or dispose of thousands of pieces of evidence seized during the investigation into serial killer Robert Pickton, prompting concerns from advocates for missing and murdered women.
-
85-year-old man assaulted over parking at Penticton Walmart, RCMP say
Mounties in Penticton are asking the public for help identifying a man in a Seattle Seahawks sweatshirt who they say assaulted an 85-year-old over parking in the city this week.
Edmonton
-
Bouchard's three-point performance keeps Oilers streaking with 4-3 victory over Wild
Evan Bouchard has been red hot from the blue line for the Edmonton Oilers of late.
-
Parks Canada accepts recommendations from review into out-of-control fire in Banff
An independent review into a prescribed fire that led to evacuations in a popular tourist town in Banff National Park has made a series of recommendations to try to prevent it from happening again.
-
Alberta finance minister says he has not 'flip-flopped' on proposed pension change
Finance Minister Nate Horner — after promising any stand-alone Alberta pension plan would not follow the contentious Quebec model, then saying it might, then saying it won't — told reporters Friday that possibility is back on the table.
Toronto
-
Here's what Ontario experts say you need to know about the cost of the holidays
There is some optimism in the tea leaves this holiday season even as high prices and interest rates pinch the pockets of Ontarians – that’s the message from industry experts.
-
Brampton youth arrested in mall assault investigation
Peel police have made an arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation into an assault at a mall in Brampton.
-
Man rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds after found lying on northern Toronto roadway
A man has been rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds after being found lying on the roadway near the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Highway 400.
Calgary
-
Broken water main in south Calgary floods basement of home under renovation
Firefighters dealt with a water main break in southwest Calgary Friday night.
-
'Brother, can you spare a dime?': Calgary transit fares to rise Jan. 1
Catching a ride on the CTrain will cost a bit more in 2024.
-
One of the largest international curling events underway in Swift Current
The Nutrien Ag Solutions Western Showdown, one of the largest International Curling Events of the season, is taking place in Swift Current.
Montreal
-
Bill 15: Quebec health reform passes after gov't invokes closure
After sitting through the night, early Saturday morning, members of the Quebec legislature finally passed Bill 15 to reform the health-care network, voting 75 to 27.
-
West Island naturopath fined $120,000 for recidivist 'illegal' practice
A Pointe-Claire naturopath has been ordered by the courts to pay $125,000 in fines for the illegal practice of medicine and for leading people to believe that he was authorized to perform acts reserved for members of the Quebec College of Physicians.
-
New heart surgery in Montreal reduces risks for patients, length of hospital stay
Two surgeons at Montreal's Sacre-Coeur Hospital recently became the first in Quebec to use a new technique that treats aortic aneurysms and dissections by avoiding open-heart surgery.
Atlantic
-
3 dead, 3 injured after collision in P.E.I.
The Queens District RCMP has arrested a 20-year-old man after a fatal collision in P.E.I. left three people dead and three others seriously injured.
-
Community groups step in to help Halifax's homeless population
A community takeover of two major tent encampments in the Halifax region sheds light on the gravity of the homeless crisis, but also exposes a contrast between the swift community mobilization and the government's sluggish response.
-
Maritimes to see heavy rain and strong winds Monday
A strengthening low pressure system will move out of the northeastern U.S., across northern New Brunswick, and over the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec on Monday.
Winnipeg
-
'We will feel the absence': Brandon man's life and legacy remembered by community
Ben Hernandez's impact on the community went far beyond his business – something his family saw firsthand when the community learned of his death, prompting an outpouring of memories and tributes have been pouring in from the community.
-
Manitoba winter storm closes stretches of Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway has been closed across much of western Manitoba as a winter storm rolls in Friday evening.
-
Winnipeg Transit strike avoided as union accepts offer
A looming strike for Winnipeg Transit workers has been avoided following a vote on a new deal this week.
Kitchener
-
Multiple shots reportedly fired into Kitchener crowd
Police are investigating a shooting in a Kitchener neighbourhood that sent one person to hospital.
-
Attempted murder charge laid after police in Grey County find 'unresponsive infant'
One person is facing criminal charges in connection to an alleged attempted murder investigation at a home in Grey Highlands.
-
Seaforth, Ont. tractor removed from downtown building
A cheer from an assembled throng of onlookers greeted the removal of a tractor embedded in a building in downtown Seaforth since mid-October.
Regina
-
Two people dead following house fire in Regina
Two people have died following a house fire in Regina.
-
5 heated highlights from Saskatchewan's fall legislative sesson
Sparring over ideological differences is a key fixture of any parliamentary democracy. However, some moments in the fall session seemed especially tense in Saskatchewan’s legislative chambers.
-
Large snow globe on display at 'What Women Want' holiday market
The ‘What Women Want’ holiday market is underway at the REAL district, with a special attraction just inside the front doors.
Barrie
-
Red light cameras installed at busy Cookstown intersection to increase road safety
With new red light cameras, the town of Innisfil is trying to protect drivers and pedestrians at the intersection of County Road 27 and Highway 89.
-
Several inflatable decorations destroyed by vandals in Barrie's east end
Multiple residents in Barrie's east end had their holiday decorations targeted and destroyed overnight.
-
Man fatally shot by police amid domestic disturbance in Newmarket: SIU
A man is dead after being shot by police officers amid a domestic disturbance north of Toronto Thursday night, the province’s police watchdog says.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon projects $13M in surpluses, could the money go to taxpayers?
After lengthy budget talks last week, where city councillors spent nearly 30 hours searching for savings, there's a new twist.
-
5 heated highlights from Saskatchewan's fall legislative sesson
Sparring over ideological differences is a key fixture of any parliamentary democracy. However, some moments in the fall session seemed especially tense in Saskatchewan’s legislative chambers.
-
Sask. TikTok sensation gets special visit from Ryan Reynolds following life-saving surgery
"Bella Brave," the Saskatchewan social media sensation from Swift Current turned 10-years-old earlier this week, her first birthday with her newly transplanted bowels.
Northern Ontario
-
Here's what Ontario experts say you need to know about the cost of the holidays
There is some optimism in the tea leaves this holiday season even as high prices and interest rates pinch the pockets of Ontarians – that’s the message from industry experts.
-
Tougher rules likely means fewer international students will come North
The federal government announced this week that international students who apply for a study permit will need to show they have more than $20,000 to cover their tuition and living expenses.
-
Marathon Conservative carbon tax filibuster ends after nearly 30 consecutive hours of House votes
The Conservative-prompted filibuster in the House of Commons ended Friday night, after MPs spent nearly 30 hours voting non-stop on the government's spending plans.
