A supportive housing building purchased by the provincial government for tent-city residents will include an on-site nurse, about 30 staff positions, employment programs, a community garden and, possibly, rooftop beekeeping.
“Our priority right now is to develop the building and get everyone in safely,” said Andy Bond, senior director of housing for PHS Community Services.
The Vancouver-based non-profit organization will manage the building at 844 Johnson St. The 147-unit former seniors’ home is one of several facilities secured by the province to help house homeless people staying at the courthouse lawn encampment over the past eight months. Capital costs for the building make up $13.5 million of $26 million invested to address the issue.
In the first two days of operation, 33 residents moved in.
The goal is to have everyone moved over the next few days to meet the deadline set by B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson.
In his July 5 ruling, Hinkson ruled in favour of the province’s bid to close the camp for safety and health reasons, and stipulated it be dismantled and residents moved out by Aug. 8 — the date the province said housing would be ready. “We’re working hard with B.C. Housing to make that happen,” Bond said.
At the tent city, staff are working through a list of residents who signed up for housing. Guidelines for the move were posted at the camp Wednesday. Last week, a health team distributed a list of items residents aren’t allowed to bring, including food, furniture and chemicals. Any bedding or wet clothing will be laundered and sanitized. A disposal firm hired by the province is helping to remove remaining items or debris.
“We had a gentleman who was going through his large structure and ended up leaving a lot of stuff,” Bond said. Residents will be able to pack and label belongings to be stored at the new building or sign off on disposing anything they don’t want.
For the first month, Bond said, residents will not be allowed guests at the building, “to ensure everyone who is there was on the list.” After that, guests must comply with safety rules for single-occupancy rooms. All the residents will have month-to-month tenancy agreements.
Each room is about 250 square feet with a bed, mini fridge and bathroom. Shower facilities are shared. Residents receive a welcome package with a plate, mug and towel. For the first few weeks, a food truck will provide meals.
Bond said about 30 full-time jobs at the facility will be posted, including for a nurse and manager.
“We’re unionized. So if people want to relocate, they can,” he said. Otherwise, the jobs will be open to anyone. Bond said several local staff have already had training.
The building will have home-support services, provide two meals a day and have medical staff on-site for first aid, addictions issues and health monitoring. Bond said there are positions available for residents, with “some money set aside for pre-employment programs.” Plans for a community garden and beekeeping are also in the works.
The name of the facility is yet to be determined, Bond said, and residents will have a say.
Bond said his organization will form an advisory board with community members to address concerns and collaborations.
PHS Community Services will have an office in the building. This is the organization’s first Victoria operation. It manages several buildings in Vancouver for B.C. Housing and helped with moves from other homeless encampments.
In 2014, the organization came under scrutiny after an audit revealed concerns about improper spending and contracting of services to companies owned by staff. Bond said a governance overhaul and continued audits have helped clear any concerns about how PHS Community Services operates.
