525 ELLICE STREET

Victoria Cool Aid Society’s 525 Ellice Street in Victoria will provide 83 shelter beds, 23 self-contained transitional housing units, and two family shelter units for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. There is also a provision for 20 cold wet weather shelter beds if needed in an emergency.

The new five-storey concrete development will also include amenity space, an enclosed courtyard for tenant use and office space for counselling and support services. There will also be six bicycle parking stalls and a designated space for shopping cart storage.

Both emergency shelter and transitional housing clients will have access to the necessary resources and services they need, such as finding housing and employment, developing financial and other life skills, and accessing physical and mental health services. Support staff will work closely with individual participants to develop personal action plans designed to help them both stabilize and move forward with their lives.

The Ellice Street development is part of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) announced by the Province and the City of Victoria in January 2008. Through this MOU, 80 existing shelter beds from Streetlink will be relocated to 525 Ellice Street. The redevelopment of the Streetlink site into supportive housing will begin in 2010, following completion of 525 Ellice Street.

Partners and Funding

· The estimated total capital cost of this project is $16,120,000, which will be funded by the Province;

· The City of Victoria will lease the land to the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation (PRHC) and will provide a permissive tax exemption to the property; and

· Victoria Cool Aid Society will manage and operate the development.

Victoria Cool Aid Society
The Victoria Cool Aid Society has been building hope, lives and community in the Capital Region since 1968 through a wide range of programs including supported housing, community health and dental services, emergency shelter, and a casual labour pool for adults who are homeless or in need of help.

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Contact:

Patricia Lusic

BC Housing
604 314-1458

Katie Josephson

City of Victoria

250 361-0210

250 217-8343

Kathy Stinson

Victoria Cool Aid Society
250 383-1977

250 812-6480




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