Packing continued Saturday for tent city residents heading to temporary housing at a View Royal facility.
“A lot of young people and vulnerable women” moved to the Choices transitional home, used for many years as a jail for youth, said Don Evans, executive director of Our Place Society.
By Saturday morning, 14 people had been relocated, some with their pets. Evans was confident that another six would agree to move this weekend.
The move is part of an effort by community social agencies and the province to find housing for tent city residents and comply with a fire order.
The province had until July 1 to act on an order from the Office of the B.C. Fire Commissioner to dismantle the camp, located on the lawn next to the B.C. Law Courts on Burdett Street, based on fire-safety concerns.
Evans said the fire commissioner visited tent city on Friday afternoon and was pleased with the progress. The order has been rescinded.
Victoria has been grappling with the issue of people living in parks, greenspaces and makeshift shelters for several years.
A year ago, neighbours of Topaz Park rallied to fight a City of Victoria proposal to allow a tent city to be set up in that area.
After that plan was scrapped, the camp on the provincially owned lawn by the courthouse grew. As the months passed, the number of campers increased to more than 100.
Opposition to the tent city has also grown. Neighbours have complained of violence and unsanitary conditions.
The future of the homeless camp is before the courts, as B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson considers hundreds of affidavits supporting an application from the province for an injunction to close the camp in phases.
Hinkson heard arguments from the province and tent city lawyers last week, but said he needed time to make his decision.
