Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria reactivated as temporary shelter

The Province of BC has signed a new lease with GSL Group that will convert Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (SOFMC) in Victoria back into a temporary shelter for the city’s vulnerable population.

The new agreement, which begins in March, is aimed at creating indoor spaces in order to shelter people who are currently living in encampments throughout Victoria.

The shelter supplies will be provided on location at Save-On-Foods Memorial and the government says there will be wraparound supports available as well.

The facility will be able to accommodate 45 people, according to the Province.

“Today’s announcement is an important step that brings us a step closer to our goal that people experiencing homelessness in Victoria’s encampments will be offered safe, dignified and comfortable emergency accommodation by the end of March,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “This is transitional housing to respond to this urgent situation. On an ongoing basis, both the city and the Province will continue to work together to move people from the arena ultimately into long-term, sustainable housing, breaking the cycle of homelessness.”

The government says that the 45 shelter spots at SOFMC will be selected and prioritized through a “thorough” assessment of applications – which will be submitted to BC Housing’s Supportive Housing Registry, in conjunction with referrals from Island Health and community partners.

According to a written statement, the government says that priority will be given to people experiencing homelessness in encampments throughout the city, particularly to those who are vulnerable to COVID-19.

Other priority applications will include Indigenous persons, people experiencing long-term homelessness, people over the age of 55 and those who have pre-existing health conditions.

“This is fantastic news, and we’re extremely grateful to Minister Eby, the Province and BC Housing for their leadership and investment in transitional housing for Victoria’s most vulnerable residents,” said Lisa Helps, mayor, Victoria. “We continue to offer our full support as we all work together towards the goal of having everyone currently sheltering in city parks inside by March 31, on a pathway to permanent housing with supports as needed.”

The temporary shelter site at the arena will be operated by PHS Community Services Society – the same organization that operated the shelter between May and September of 2020.

Plans and operational logistics are currently being finalized, however, the government says the plan is to mirror a similar setup to the previous Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre use.

The temporary shelter will also include access to meals, washroom facilities and wraparound supports, such as health-care services, addictions treatment and harm reduction and other supports.

“We are glad to have once again been given the opportunity to serve Greater Victoria by providing our facility as a temporary emergency response centre,” said Graham Lee, president and CEO, GSL Group. “We found it imperative, as a member of this community, to be a part of the solution by working with BC Housing to make our facility available to vulnerable individuals.”

The signed lease is set to expire on May 30, 2021, however, there is an option to extend beyond May 30 pending lease extension discussions with GSL Group.

READ MORE: 45 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Island Health

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