Goal Achieved: In less than 3 months time, the citizens and local businesses of Victoria have come together to raise more than $500,000 to fund the capital expenses for 30 transitional housing units to be built from repurposed shipping containers. Set to be located at 940 Caledonia Ave., this tiny home community will provide safe, warm and secure conditions for some of our community’s most vulnerable currently sheltering outside, unhoused.
Press Release: $500,000 Goal for Transitional Housing Community Reached
Minutes from the Caledonia Tiny Homes Community Advisory Committee can be found on the North Park Neighbourhood Association website:
Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Terms of Reference (TOR) and Application
Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
A Community Advisory Committee will be led by Our Place and the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness to support the successful integration of the village into the community. It will consist of representatives from the neighbourhood and organizations supporting the operation of the Tiny Homes Village. It will meet regularly to discuss any operational issues and opportunities for enhancing the success of the project.
How to apply to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC):
To apply to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) email the completed application forms to: admin@victoriahomelessness.ca with ‘TINY HOMES CAC’ in the email subject line.
- Application deadline: 11:59pm, April 27, 2021
- Committee Member Notification: May 3, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ’s
Tiny home amenities
Each tiny home will be about 100 square feet and include a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe and fridge. Communal shower and washroom facilities will also be installed. The site will also include planter boxes for vegetables and a public art component. There will be no cooking on site and all meals will be prepared at Our Place and brought to residents. A single entrance to the village will be welcoming while maximizing security
How the village will change lives
Supports on site will include daily meals, access to life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental health resources, as well as referral to addiction recovery services through Island Health. To help set residents up for success, no guests will be allowed and there will be zero tolerance of violence and criminality.
Resident selection
Residents will be at least 19 years of age, with priority given to people who are unhoused that require minimal supports and are ready to bridge to permanent housing. Each resident will have a personalized plan to help them reach their health, income and housing goals.
How temporary homes help
The Tiny Homes Village is a temporary home for residents while they prepare to secure long-term housing. The village is planned to come to a close in fall 2022.
Respecting the neighourhood
Ensuring the village and neighbouring residents have a harmonious relationship is a priority for Our Place and its partners. Residents will be required to commit to the terms for a healthy community that respect the neighbourhood, and security staff will be present 24/7.
Learn More
Learn More, Ask Questions
Our Place will host a virtual neighbourhood meeting on Tuesday, April 13 from 5-6:30 p.m. to introduce the Tiny Homes Village to the community.
Please register to attend by signing up for the email list: www.victoriahomelessness.ca/tinyhomes
Meet the partners in this innovative project and learn how to join the Community Advisory Committee.
Making Room and Moving In!
The Caledonia Tiny Homes Village is an initiative being led by a partnership of Victoria organizations to provide additional transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
A new neighbour is moving into the North Park community at 940 Caledonia Avenue. The Tiny Homes Village will provide 30 people at a time with a temporary place to call home on their journey to permanent housing. Construction is underway and the village will begin welcoming residents at the end of April once construction is complete.
This innovative village will be built from re-purposed shipping containers on City of Victoria land with funding from the community and BC Housing. It will operate for 18 months and be managed by experienced service provider Our Place Society, with the support of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness.
The village will have round-the-clock staffing and site security, and residents will have access to outreach and peer support workers.
A resident-supported Clean Team will be organized to keep the community clean.
In Crisis?:
If you require urgent emotional support, including having thoughts of suicide and other mental health issues, please call Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888.
Youth (under 25 years of age) may access youthspace.ca for online emotional support.
For other resources, including shelter availability, visit bc211.ca
