Housing and Homelessness

BC Rent Bank helps people stay out of homelessness. Black Press stock photo.

BC Rent Bank sees daily applications triple in first day after province-wide roll out

Microloan program available in all areas of province

BC Rent Bank helps people stay out of homelessness. Black Press stock photo.
B.C. has the highest rate of evictions in the country according to a new UBC study. File Photo

UBC study finds more than 10 per cent of B.C. renters report being evicted

Province has highest rate of eviction in Canada — by almost 4 percentage points

B.C. has the highest rate of evictions in the country according to a new UBC study. File Photo
50 new self-isolation pods, like the ones used at the old Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre shelter, will be available to Victoria’s unhoused, COVID-positive population by early November. (Courtesy of Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)

50 new isolation pods coming for Victoria’s unhoused, COVID-positive population

300 unhoused people, shelter staff have had COVID-19 since pandemic start, Island Health says

50 new self-isolation pods, like the ones used at the old Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre shelter, will be available to Victoria’s unhoused, COVID-positive population by early November. (Courtesy of Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)
Victoria city staff estimate the cost of staff, materials and consulting services for restoring city parks following temporary sheltering to be $535,000. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria city staff slap $500,000 price tag on post-sheltering park restoration

Restoration in such parks as Beacon Hill, Topaz, Cecilia Ravine expected to take until 2024: report

Victoria city staff estimate the cost of staff, materials and consulting services for restoring city parks following temporary sheltering to be $535,000. (Black Press Media file photo)
Modular housing is a cost-effective way of providing needed housing quickly, says B.C. Housing. (Contributed - B.C. Housing)

First modular affordable housing building eyed for Sooke

The four-storey, 75-unit project is located at 2170 Charters Rd.

Modular housing is a cost-effective way of providing needed housing quickly, says B.C. Housing. (Contributed - B.C. Housing)
A new report presented to Victoria council July 22 outlines barriers and recommendations to ending homelessness in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Report outlines barriers, recommendations to ending homelessness in Greater Victoria

Full-scale transformation required, report says

A new report presented to Victoria council July 22 outlines barriers and recommendations to ending homelessness in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
The vacant Mount Tolmie Hospital building will this month receive residents currently sheltered at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, to make way for an Olympic qualifier basketball tournament. (Google Streetview)

Victoria arena shelter residents being moved ahead of Olympic basketball qualifier

Accommodation upgrade for 43 individuals relocating to vacant Mount Tolmie Hospital

The vacant Mount Tolmie Hospital building will this month receive residents currently sheltered at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, to make way for an Olympic qualifier basketball tournament. (Google Streetview)
A motion to ban camping on Beacon Hill Park passed a committee-of-the-whole vote Thursday. The final decision will be made at the June 17 council meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)

Motion to ban camping in Beacon Hill Park for 2 years passes committee vote

Decision to be ratified at June 17 council meeting

A motion to ban camping on Beacon Hill Park passed a committee-of-the-whole vote Thursday. The final decision will be made at the June 17 council meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)
Two community organizations are opposing a motion headed to Victoria council June 3 that suggests a two year ban on camping in Beacon Hill Park. (Courtesy of The Existence Project)

Community groups oppose camping ban at Beacon Hill Park

Motion calling for two-year ban to be discussed by Victoria council June 3

Two community organizations are opposing a motion headed to Victoria council June 3 that suggests a two year ban on camping in Beacon Hill Park. (Courtesy of The Existence Project)
A motion heading to Victoria council’s committee-of-the-whole this Thursday (June 3) aims to prohibit sheltering in Beacon Hill Park for two years. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria council to consider two-year camping ban in Beacon Hill Park

Motion on June 3 agenda calls for park rehabilitation period in wake of intensive camping

A motion heading to Victoria council’s committee-of-the-whole this Thursday (June 3) aims to prohibit sheltering in Beacon Hill Park for two years. (Black Press Media file photo)
The entrance to one of the tiny homes in Victoria’s Tiny Home Village. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria Tiny Home Village resident evicted for lighting small fire

No damage or injuries, but zero-tolerance rule stands

The entrance to one of the tiny homes in Victoria’s Tiny Home Village. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby jabs back against Penticton mayor’s ad urging BC Premier to intervene in shelter dispute

Eby writes that Penticton’s ‘serious’ social issues won’t improve under leadership of the mayor

BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
The Tiny Home Village, at 940 Caledonia Ave., is set to welcome 30 residents starting May 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

VIDEO: Royal Athletic Park tiny home village set to welcome 30 people

Residents are expected to start moving in May 12

The Tiny Home Village, at 940 Caledonia Ave., is set to welcome 30 residents starting May 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
A tenant starter kit will help newly housed people transition from a survival mindset to a secure, safe place where they can start planning ahead. (Photo courtesy of Our Place)

Tenant starter kits help support people moving into long-term homes in Victoria

For the formerly homeless, it takes more than just the new address to transition

A tenant starter kit will help newly housed people transition from a survival mindset to a secure, safe place where they can start planning ahead. (Photo courtesy of Our Place)
Shea Smith chats with a couple Beacon Hill Park campers who came by the community care tent for some hot soup. The tent was taken down March 31.(Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Here’s what Victoria’s community care tent meant to those who ran and used it

Volunteers, campers say care tent is proof peer support works

Shea Smith chats with a couple Beacon Hill Park campers who came by the community care tent for some hot soup. The tent was taken down March 31.(Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
The former Speed Source Fitness building on Otter Point Road has been used as a shelter for Sooke’s homeless population since last July. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

B.C. Housing extends contract to house homeless in Sooke

Contract extended to April 30

The former Speed Source Fitness building on Otter Point Road has been used as a shelter for Sooke’s homeless population since last July. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
BC Housing minister David Eby is concerned that Penticton council’s decision to close a local homeless shelter will result in a “tent city” similar to this one in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / Black Press file)

‘Disappointed and baffled’ B.C. housing minister warns of tent city in Penticton

Penticton council’s decision to close a local homeless shelter could create tent city, says David Eby

BC Housing minister David Eby is concerned that Penticton council’s decision to close a local homeless shelter will result in a “tent city” similar to this one in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / Black Press file)
The City of Victoria filed a petition with the Supreme Court of B.C. March 2 to have it clarify whether, under the Trustee Act, Beacon Hill Park can be used for temporary sheltering. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria asks court to clarify if Beacon Hill Park can be used for sheltering

City of Victoria filed petition to Supreme Court of B.C. March 2

The City of Victoria filed a petition with the Supreme Court of B.C. March 2 to have it clarify whether, under the Trustee Act, Beacon Hill Park can be used for temporary sheltering. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC Housing ensures that by March 31, shelter will be available to all people living outside. (Black Press Media file photo)

All unhoused Victoria residents will be offered shelter by March 31, says BC Housing

BC Housing working to secure shelter locations in coming weeks

BC Housing ensures that by March 31, shelter will be available to all people living outside. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Sooke homeless shelter, located at 2197 Otter Point Rd, will have to find a permanent location by the end of March. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke homeless shelter must relocate by end of March

Otter Point Road property owner wants to develop property

The Sooke homeless shelter, located at 2197 Otter Point Rd, will have to find a permanent location by the end of March. (Black Press Media file photo)
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