Victoria will soon have new shelter beds opening in Rock Bay for unhoused individuals.
The Province is funding the new shelter space located at 2920 Bridge Street through BC Housing, and has agreed to support the shelter for three years.
The shelter, dubbed the Bridge Street Pathways Shelter, will operate 24-7, have 34 spaces, provide meals, showers, access to laundry and other health and community supports.
“We’re making great strides in Victoria, working together with the city to help more people sheltering outside move indoors, building a safer, stronger community for everyone,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.
“Moving indoors can open new opportunities for people to build confidence and healthy routines that will help them move toward other longer-term housing solutions and a better quality of life.”
Those who require shelter will be able to access the Bridge Street Pathways Shelter through referrals only.
This means people will be able to access the shelter only if there is space being held for them.
Space will be held for them through the work of outreach staff, who will connect with unhoused folks on Pandora Avenue, Ellice Street and other downtown areas, referring them to the shelter when spaces are available.
The shelter will be in a two-storey, 6,000 square-foot space. The fenced property is owned by the City of Victoria.
In addition to the provincial funding the City is investing up to $700,000 over three years for renovations and an outreach position to coordinate referrals.
“I would like to recognize the Province for its continued investment and support for Victoria’s most vulnerable residents, making it possible for them to transition from homelessness to housing,” said Mayor Marianne Alto.
“A concrete example of the City’s Community Safety and Well-being Plan, this shelter is named to reflect our shared commitment to working together to create positive pathways to housing for everyone.”
The required renovations will include adding portable washrooms and shower facilities, building sleeping and day-use areas and retrofitting offices for support programs.
Overnight security patrols will be contracted when the shelter opens.
Once open, the shelter will be operated by Connective, a qualified operator connected to BC Housing’s Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program.
Connective currently oversees more than 1,500 housing/shelter spaces in 27 communities throughout BC and the Yukon.
“Connective is grateful to work alongside the City of Victoria and BC Housing to respond to an urgent community need,” said Liz Vick Sanha, chief operating officer, Connective.
“We’re honoured to be welcomed into Victoria, building on decades of housing experience across Vancouver Island. Going where we’re needed and applying our experience to support communities and funders in times of urgency is core to who we are.”
BC Housing says they will be notifying the surrounding community, including residences and businesses through letters that will outline how the facility will operate.
According to the City, this is the eighth HEARTH project in Victoria since a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Province in February 2024.
The agreement calls for the development of new temporary shelter spaces, housing options and increased support to unhoused people.
The shelter will serve people of all genders who are aged 19 and older. The Bridge Street Pathways Shelter is expected to be operating by spring 2026.
