As the tent city alongside the Trans-Canada Highway in Saanich grows, municipal politicians are trying to balance safety concerns from nearby residents with homeless campers’ pleas for compassion.
Victoria-Swan Lake NDP MLA Rob Fleming said the quickest solution might be modular homes and is urging the District of Saanich to apply for provincial housing grants.
The tent city near a Galloping Goose Regional Trail overpass has grown to 57 tents.
Bintu Bhangu, who lives on Sims Avenue adjacent to the tent city, said he and his brother, whose family also lives in the home, have raised concerns with Saanich police and Saanich councillors.
Some of the tents are just metres away from their backyard fence, he said. “It’s not safe for the kids to play outside,” said Bhangu, who has a four-year-old and two-year-old. His brother has a 14-year-old daughter. “It’s definitely affecting us.”
Virgo Bertoldo, who has lived on Sims Avenue for the last five years, said his tenant moved out a week ago. “He said he’s not feeling safe anymore.”
Bertoldo said it upsets him to see people with no shelter but wants to see a little more respect for the neighbourhood.
Mark Simpson had lived in the encampment for five weeks. He said his criminal record makes it difficult to find housing and he has been barred from Rock Bay Landing and Queens Manor, two properties run by Rock Bay Landing Victoria Cool Aid Society.
“I’m not here trying to cause any problems, I’m trying to better my life,” said Simpson, who struggles with heroin addiction. Simpson, who also spent time living at the tent city outside the Victoria courthouse, said he can understand why neighbours would be upset.
Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell said he’s fielded calls from many residents who are concerned about the growing tent city in their neighbourhood.
“It puts a lot of stress on the community,” he said. “We also have a lot of sympathy for folks who are struggling.”
Atwell said he doesn’t want to “boot” people from the camp, knowing full well that the housing crisis means that will just push the problem elsewhere.
Saanich police have increased patrols in the area and assigned officers to specifically focus on Regina Park and surrounding neighbourhoods, said department spokesman Sgt. Jereme Leslie. “We’re hopeful this enhanced focus, and with residents help by calling in suspicious activities, we’ll be able to deal with criminal activity in the area.”
Saanich police have recorded a spike in theft from vehicles in the area, with five between May 1 and June 6, compared to one in the same period last year. There have been 39 “assist public” calls from May 1 to June 6, compared to 13 in the same period in 2017.
Housing action response teams, which include officials from B.C. Housing and municipal police, have visited the camp, trying to find shelter for campers
Fleming is encouraging the District of Saanich to look for land that can be used for modular housing.
“This modular housing is quick to build. It can be in place in six months,” Fleming said. “It’s high-quality housing that can be put in place almost immediately.”
Atwell said the municipality has had a hard time finding suitable land for modular homes but all options are being considered.
In October, the Capital Regional District asked municipalities for a list of possible sites on which modular homes could be built.
That followed the province’s September budget which included $291 million to build 2,000 modular housing units and $170 million over three years to provide staffing and support services for the new units.
In Victoria, 21 modular homes for Indigenous women are planned for the Evergreen Terrace subsidized housing complex on Hillside Avenue, part of a partnership between the provincial government, the City of Victoria, Atira Women’s Resource Society, and the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness.
Modular housing units are also planned for Courtenay, Parksville and more than a dozen communities across B.C.
Atwell and Fleming are expected to meet today to talk about housing options.
“There are dollars on the table in a way that there haven’t been in a decade and a half,” Fleming said. “It helps when municipalities are willing to step up and seize those opportunities.”
