New homes open for young adults experiencing homelessness in Victoria

Victoria, BC – Young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Victoria have access to 48 new homes with supports with the opening of a new supportive housing development located at 1075 Meares Street. Today, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia announced combined funding of nearly $24 million towards the project.

The new building, which will be operated by Beacon Community Services, has 48 individual studio units, each with private washrooms, showers and kitchenettes with full-size fridges. The building includes a commercial kitchen, tenant support offices, a dining and lounge area and laundry.

The housing caters to young adults from ages 19 to 27. Beacon will provide residents with two meals a day, laundry, health and wellness services as well as connecting residents to education and employment opportunities and other supports to help them achieve their personal and housing goals. Staff will be on-site 24/7 to support residents.

This housing is part of a commitment between the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the Capital Regional District to build six supportive sites with approximately 280 combined homes for people experiencing homelessness in the capital region.

Funding provided for this project is as follows:

• $2.5 million from the federal government, through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund.
• $21.2 million, including the cost of land, from the Province of British Columbia, through BC Housing, through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fundas well as annual operating funding. The Province is also providing $150,000 in one-time start-up funding.

Quotes:

“In our commitment to addressing the unique needs of young adults in Victoria, we understand the importance of collaborating with organizations who understand the community. Together, our partnership brings these projects to life, ensuring they are not just structures, but nurturing environments that support the aspirations and challenges of residents. By working with our partners, we tap into different levels of expertise to go beyond bricks and mortar. This is one way the National Housing Strategy is ensuring no one is left behind.”

“With the opening of this new building, we’re providing young people in Victoria with the support and opportunity they need to achieve their potential. We’re proud to work with partners to give people of all ages the tools to support themselves, and we’ll continue to do so to ensure people in need have a safe and secure place to call home.

“We know the housing crisis is really hurting young people in our community and they do not have access to the affordable housing they need, I would like to thank everyone who helped make this project possible so that more young people can start stabilizing their lives and be on their way to a better life.”

“This housing represents a significant, tangible response to the urgent issue of homelessness among young adults in Victoria. These 48 homes, with 24/7 support services, are critically needed in our community. We are grateful for the investment from the Province, as we work together to provide shelter, support, and hope for those who need it most.”

“We believe this purpose-built property and the support model are an innovative opportunity to provide safe and stable housing for young adults at risk of homelessness in Victoria. We are offering not just shelter, but the supports required to thrive as they move forward on their journey to independent living. I want to thank our dedicated team, our partners, and the community for their continued support, and we look forward to the positive impact this building will have on the lives of the youth we serve.”

Quick facts:

• Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $82-plus billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
• The National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) is a $13.2 billion program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.
• This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has delivered nearly 77,000 new homes that have been completed or are underway, including more than 3,000 in Victoria.

Additional Information:

• Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of Canada housing information.
• CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
• To learn more about the BC Government’s new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436
• To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/

Contacts:

Kevin Collins
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
kevin.collins@infc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Ministry of Housing
Media Relations
236 478-0251

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org