A handful of homeless people who had been camping at a controversial tent city on the courthouse lawn in Victoria have secured housing, employment and even been waitlisted for addiction services through a new transitional shelter, says the head of the social agency that operates the shelter.
“We’re seeing some great early successes,” said Don Evans, executive director of Our Place, who spoke to Greater Victoria school board trustees Monday night about progress at My Place Transitional Home, which will operate until the end of April. A couple were housed, two secured work and another couple were put on a waitlist for detox centres.
“We are starting to transition people quite quickly,” he told trustees. He’s not sure if that pace can be maintained, but he’s hopeful. “And this week we’re bringing in programming for art, music and computers.”
The shelter in the city-owned former Boys and Girls Club building at 1240 Yates St. had sparked concerns among parents at Central Middle School across the street, prompting Evans’ update Monday. The school board said it was advised about the shelter just prior to Christmas break.
Since then, My Place has put in “visible supports that have reassured staff and parents,” said school board vice-chairwoman Diane McNally. In recent weeks, groups including shelter representatives and parents, neighbours, trustees, stakeholders, police and community groups have met.
Concerns have revolved mainly around safety and security of students, but the controversy has now eased into collaboration, McNally said. “My Place has really stepped up with security and police presence,” she said. “Immediate concerns for safety seem to have lessened.”
Evans told trustees the shelter staff includes three outreach workers on site around the clock, one security staff member patrolling from 6 a.m. to midnight throughout the week, a custodian and a cook.
“In addition ... there will be a number of case workers and support people coming into the facility on a regular basis to work individually with residents,” he said.
Meanwhile, the shelter residents and school are working on ways to bring the two communities together so they can both learn from the experience, Evans said.
The shelter was a temporary fix offered to people camping at the so-called tent city, which had a population of about 120 prior to Christmas, Evans said. The government spent $400,000 to fund the temporary shelter, now at capacity with 40 people.
The tent city’s population is now back up to more than 100 people, Evans said.
The shelter, open around the clock, provides shower and laundry facilities, a library, television and games. It offers around-the-clock access, allows pets and permits tents in the gymnasium so that individuals can have privacy and secure their belongings.
Evans hopes that come April, the provincial government provides funding for a similar shelter in another location.
