At the end of September, the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria will end being a temporary housing facility.
“Folks will be moving to a combination of supportive housing sites within Victoria, and a good number of them to Paul’s Motor Inn,” said Heidi Hartman, BC Housing Regional Director for Vancouver Island.
Officials say the move was expected as the facility was set up to provide temporary shelter during the peak of the pandemic. GSL Group, who owns the property, did not respond to a request to comment, but the move is believed to be a result of hockey starting back up.
“Potentially, because the owner of the arena wants the WHL to get going,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps on Monday.
In two weeks, people here will be finished being moved from the arena to supportive housing and more permanent residences.
Back in May, campers from Pandora Avenue and in Topaz Park were moved here. Advocates say around half of the 48 have already found more permanent homes — showing the success of the project.
“There has been a multi-agency approach,” said Janine Theobald from the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness.
“Making sure healthcare is available, people are able to be supported to get whatever benefits they need, IDs sorted out, as well as safe consumption and recovery supports, and the key being peer supports.”
“It very unique and special,” said Avery Taylor from PHS Community Services, one of the agencies working on site.
“Hopefully setting an example for the future, homelessness is a big thing to tackle and I think we all need to be working together.”
But as worse weather approaches, there are worries about spaces
“Frankly we find our-self in a place where there are not enough resources,” said Theobald.
“We aim to get to functional zero, where there are enough resources for everybody who needs them.”
BC Housing says they have other projects in the works.
“We had a couple of winter shelters close down so how can we work with our non-profit operators to ensure physical distancing and get more people out of the cold,” added Hartman.
Those involved also say the arena provides more than shelter, many saying it helps form a community.
‘We’ve been doing a movie night,” said Taylor.
“The arena has been really nice, bringing down the big screen, so thrown on a movie for everybody and bring down some popcorn and have some dinner and watch a movie.”
Advocates just hope by the time the puck hits the ice, more housing is found to keep people out of the cold.
Julian Kolsut
