The City of Victoria has entered into an agreement with SOLID Outreach Society to fund the operations of a new "access hub" that will provide community-based services in an attempt to reduce the impacts of homelessness.
The city will be providing the facility up to $1.8 million in operating funds, and has provided a grant of $300,000 to help SOLID acquire the Dowler Place property. The project is funded by the city’s Financial Stability Reserve, which is typically used to fund operating and environmental emergencies.
Cities have traditionally stuck to providing simple services, but are now having to respond to more complex issues, Victoria's mayor said on Friday.
"Perhaps we need to begin to take a more direct role in preventing and being more proactive and being more directly involved with the service to all of our residents," Mayor Marianne Alto said. "As we deal with multiple crises, we are concerned to a high degree with our most vulnerable residents."
The facility will offer food, harm reduction services, connections to long-term support, health care and housing for about 50 people at a time.
"Here is a chance to provide an access hub that the city is funding to provide a range of services at one site, with a drop in where folks are engaged, where we can get people hooked up right away to the services they need, rather than having to send some of someone somewhere else," said Mark Wilson, SOLID's director of operations and finance. "We're bringing people in, providing food and a range of stuff, making sure people are getting what they need in the moment, and then really being able to hook people up based on their unique needs."
The property will be fenced and security will be provided by SOLID, who will work collaboratively with bylaw, Victoria police and the Victoria Fire Department to address any potential impacts on neighbouring properties.
The new facility requires some renovations and upgrades, and is anticipated to open in the summer.