A new \u201cdry\u201d supportive housing facility is coming to Victoria, meaning the building will be free of substance use.<\/p>\n
The B.C. government and City of Victoria announced the new recovery-oriented facility which is geared specifically\u00a0for people who are homeless on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The facility will be located at 1153 Johnson St. and will include 20 units with an estimated opening date of early spring 2026.<\/p>\n
It will be operated by the Victoria Cool Aid Society and is intended for people who have been sober for at least 60 days and who have completed post-detox and treatment \u2013 and who are unhoused.<\/p>\n
The facility will also offer peer-supported coaching, referrals to other services, and help with independent living skills to prepare residents for transitioning into long-term housing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve heard from the community that there is a lack of dry, recovery-oriented housing, which plays a critical role post-treatment,\u201d said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis collaboration between the city and the Province will help create more positive flow in our housing continuum and support vulnerable residents as they move from homelessness to recovery after detox,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The B.C. government is providing $1.2 million in operating funding over the next three years, while the City of Victoria is contributing nearly $590,000 over the next three years \u2013 as well as an additional $250,000 in capital funding to renovate the building.<\/p>\n
Renovations to the building, called the Johnson Manor, include upgrading the living units, renovating washrooms, replacing kitchen equipment, and other improvements to indoor programming areas.<\/p>\n
The province says BC Housing will notify neighbours about the property\u2019s renovations once they begin, and will provide the community with information on how the facility will operate and who to contact if people have questions or concerns closer to its opening date.<\/p>\n