The company applying to put 30 tiny houses in the parking lot next to Royal Athletic Pack has the go-ahead from Victoria councillors to apply for a temporary-use permit.
Council’s committee of the whole gave Aryze Developments the nod Thursday.
The tiny houses are to made from shipping containers. Each one would be about 160 square feet and include a bed, hot plate and fridge. Shower and washroom facilities would be shared.
City staff will work with B.C. Housing for a lease or licence of occupation.
The city wants to see occupation of the homes by March 31, a target date for getting people out of parks and other areas and into their own places. The goal is to have about 200 “indoor sheltering solutions,” a city report said.
Public comment is planned during the process, and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said the North Park Neighbourhood Association has already indicated it is supportive.
Helps said there has been a “state of emergency” for too long for people in the community needing homes.
“This is 30 of approximately 200 or so units that will be needed,” she said of the Aryze project. “It’s I think a small part that the city can do through the contribution of land.”
Coun. Jeremy Loveday praised the concept.
“This proposal is a significant show of leadership from the community, both public and private partners, residents, neighbours coming together to say that everyone deserves to have housing,” he said. “And this proposal is a transitional proposal that will allow some people who are currently taking shelter outside in the winter to have dignified transitional housing on city property.”
The parking lot is already a temporary site for tents, with about 35 spread over the area.
Aryze and the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness started a crowdfunding effort in December to support the project, and have already generated over $240,000, along with donated materials and services.
jwbell@timescolonist.com
