SPRING 2014
newsletter
Thanks for reading the Coalition's newest initiative, the Coalition Newsletter. This newsletter is designed to share updates from the Coalition and our partners with the Greater Victoria street community. The Coalition News is a resource for you - from updates on housing projects, special events, changes to services and much more. If you have any questions or would like to make a suggestion for content please contact newsletter@victoriahomelessness.ca

 

in this issue
easter meals

Thursday, April 17 from 11 - 2pm, Our Place is hosting their annual Easter Meal. The festive meal will be served by local dignitaries, volunteers and staff.

emergency shelter updates

EWP is closed for the season as of March 31. EWP (Extreme Weather Protocol) program offers emergency shelter mats at various locations around Greater Victoria for up to 125 people. It is only activated on nights with extreme weather, such as snow or freezing temperatures. For more information: vewp.net

 

Out of the Rain Youth Shelter is closed for the season as of April 15. Out of the Rain operates from October to April rotating hosts sites in the community. For youth aged 15 to 25. For more information: outoftherainvictoria.ca

updated edition
The 2014 Street Survival Guide (edition 4) is now available! Members of the Coalition's Social Inclusion Advisory Committee are distributing copies now. Visit a service providers to get your copy. Online Version
story idea?
hope centre update

Hope Centre in Sooke is underway! Hope Centre is a transformation of the existing St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Sooke into a four story facility that will incorporate a new thrift store and 25 rental units. A joint venture between the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the M'akola Housing, it came about when the groups identified a need in Sooke to provide affordable housing for homeless and at-risk youth in Sooke, with a focus on Aboriginal persons. 

Approximate project budget: $6 Million

MORE PHOTOS

how much does housing cost?

This is a common question and one that is becoming increasing important to understand why there is such a shortage of affordable housing options. The answer is that it costs more than $130,000 to build a one-bedroom apartment unit or almost $225 per square foot (approximate costs to build a wood-frame, multi-family housing development with below ground parking). But that doesn't include the price of the land or the cost to provide additional supports to residents.

So where does all the money go? Costs are divided into two different categories: hard costs and soft costs. Hard costs are directly related to construction such as, building material purchase and labour to build the building. Soft costs are more indirect costs such as consulting fees, architectural fees, municipal permits, finance costs and general administration costs.

 

Affordable housing design and construction is influenced by a number of procedures, regulations, and policies at all levels of government and each of these have an associated cost.

Development costs may be influenced by site limitations, design elements, land-use and zoning regulations, building codes, development process delays, long-term borrowing costs, available rents and how much cash the developer can offer up front.

In the last 20 years there has been a significant shift in how public funds support affordable housing development as governments are under increasing pressure to reduce their annual expenditures.

Affordable housing is still being built in our region. Hope Centre (featured above) is a great example of multiple organizations working together to find a solution. St. Vincent de Paul had the land and some funds, M'akola Housing had a need and some funds, and the CRD, the Province and the Federal Government came to the table with the remaining funds required to pull the project together.

BC budget reaction

The Provincial budget was introduced on February 18 and it had some interesting developments with regards to housing and homelessness.

From the perspective of the Coalition the most exciting piece comes in the increases to the budget of BC Housing. Its total budget will increase from $613 million this year to $660 million next year. It is also interesting to note where that increase in expenditures will be felt. Housing subsidy expenditures for example will increase by close to $20 million. Read the full article.

VARCS closure

As of March 31 the Victoria AIDS Resource & Community Service Society (VARCS) is closed. VARCS provided support to those living with or at-risk of HIV/AIDS and is closing due to funding cuts. In previous years the agency received funding from Island Health (VIHA), but due to a restructuring of harm reduction services AIDS Vancouver Island will take over mobile needle exchange. 

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