Re: Application for Temporary Commercial Use Permit (Choices Transitional Home, 94 Talcott Road)

The Request

On behalf of the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation (BC Housing), please find attached a completed application for a Temporary Use Permit for 94 Talcott Road (the current location of the Choices Transitional Home) for a one-year period ending March 31, 2018. The intent of the application is to recognize the existing land use, and to acknowledge and commit to a timely and coordinated phasing-out and wrap-up of the current transitional housing operations.

It is the writers’ understanding that the Town of View Royal’s OCP states that Temporary Use Permits will be considered on a case by case basis.

Property Description

Originally built to accommodate 60 detainees as the Victoria Youth Custody Centre, the facility comprises four main structures:

• A two-storey administrative building;
• Two largely residential buildings with additional support services; and
• A service building that houses a commercial kitchen, gymnasium, and other program spaces, as well as utility and service rooms.

There is a large open courtyard, and a natural landscape buffer around the site. Given its original purpose, the facility is also secured by perimeter fencing.

Approximately 2.6 ha in size, the property is located at the end of Talcott Road, about 225 m from Watkiss Way. The buildings are physically buffered from other uses by:

1. The Trans Canada Highway;
2. The Galloping Goose Trail;
3. Craigflower Creek; and
4. A natural park and open space area.

The nearest residential subdivision development is Talcott Place, located about 150 m away. The closest residence is located about 160 m from the facility’s front entrance.

Background

The current use of the facility as Choices Transitional Home began February 23, 2016 in response to the regional homelessness crisis, specifically triggered by the Tent City camp situation in Victoria. Over the past year, BC Housing has undertaken several initiatives to ameliorate this issue, including:

• Opening a temporary facility called My Place at the former Boys and Girls Club building on Yates Street;
• Acquiring and opening units at the Mt. Edward Apartments on Vancouver Street;
• Acquiring and opening units in the former Central Care Home on Johnson Street;
• Acquiring and opening units in the former Super 8 hotel on Douglas Street; and
• Reestablishing a temporary shelter at First Metropolitan United Church.

Our Place Society was chosen to operate Choices because of its long history of providing services and housing to many of the region’s homeless and more vulnerable.

Choices houses 50 people at a time, and provides the following services:

• 24/7 staffing;
• Secure and stable housing;
• Meals;
• Hygiene and laundry services;
• Daily shuttles to Downtown Victoria; and
• One-on-one support workers to secure permanent housing.

The original intention was to operate the facility for an interim period to allow time to find residents alternate and permanent housing, with necessary supports. While great strides have been made, bringing permanent housing on-stream takes time to plan, build/renovate, and occupy. The process of finding the right fit between individuals’ needs and the best housing options is continuing.

Success To Date

Working with housing providers, permanent housing solutions have been an ongoing and successful part of the program. Unfortunately, for all those residents successfully housed, they have been replaced with others facing homelessness or near homelessness.

SINCE CHOICES OPENED - SPRING 2016

Current Staffing & Community Supports

1. Staffing. Choices is staffed 24/7. There are at least two trained outreach workers and one outreach supervisor (total of 3) on site at all times. Additional staff members are on site during the day, including cooks, cleaners, and drivers that increase direct staffing levels to about seven people.
2. Volunteers. During the week, there are typically three to four volunteers who assist with the provision of meals and other programs, including a recently established canteen service in which residents can acquire basic necessities and snacks (e.g., a can of pop, toothpaste, etc.) rather than going off-site.
3. Street Nurses & Ministry of Social Development Staff. Over the past year, Choices outreach workers have acted as facilitators, and worked with each resident individually to assess what assistance they need, and then directing them to appropriate services. Recently incorporated into the facility’s programs, street nurses and Ministry staff are now coming to Choices on a regular basis so they can address individual needs on site. Choices outreach staff continue to help residents access necessary outside services, and over the next months will refocus their efforts on working with housing providers to find suitable permanent housing for residents.
4. Shuttle Service. Choices provides a regular shuttle bus to Downtown Victoria for residents to access required services. The shuttle leaves every two hours starting at 7 am. The last shuttle leaves Downtown at 10:30 pm.

Safety & Security

Outreach staff is responsible for internal security and resident management. Since the fall of 2016, each resident has been required to sign a Rules and Guidelines sheet, committing to certain etiquette and standards of behaviour, including being a good neighbour.

A private security firm is responsible for off-site security, and provides a foot patrol team to monitor the neighbourhood. The established route includes north and south along the Galloping Goose Trail, Talcott Road to Watkiss Way, and the ground of Eagle View Elementary School. The route takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, and is conducted four to seven times during each eight-hour shift. There are two daily shifts that run from 7 am until 11 pm. Security personnel have direct communication with Choices staff, and serve to monitor and identify any issues, including identifying garbage left on the trail. A daily log is recorded and kept on file. All security personnel are also provided with Choices’ Manager Clayton Ealey’s direct cell phone number so he can be immediately apprised of any issues or incidents.

Relationship with View Royal

Over the last year, the Town of View Royal has been very helpful, and truly stepped-up-to-the-plate when solutions to the Tent City crisis were being sought. The Town has been very understanding, and has supported the operation of Choices in many ways. Administration and Protective Services’ directors and staff have committed time and attention to the situation. And, although there have been some issues, many occurred early on when the facility was getting up and running, and during a brief time when as many as 74 people were being housed. The established capacity at Choices is 50.

The Wrap-Up Plan

BC Housing’s wrap-up strategy for Choices includes:

• Targeting to have all residents rehoused and the facility empty by the end of 2017;
• Continuing to work with housing providers to find suitable housing for Choices’ residents on a person-by-person basis, that includes application of a “vulnerability assessment” tool to ensure a match between residents and housing supports;
• Securing additional property that is suitable for immediate permanent housing;
• Not replacing relocated residents with new shelter residents;
• Providing the Town with monthly updates on the progress of the wrap-up plan;
• Continuing to maintain 24/7 security systems throughout the transition period; and
• Continuing to engage with neighbours on a regular basis by providing updates on the progress of the wrap-up plan.

Future Planning

The future use of the property has not been determined. BC Housing is committed to a full public consultation process for any use considered in the future, and will pursue appropriate rezoning should it be required. The requested one-year Temporary Use Permit period will allow for that consultation process with neighbours and the Town of View Royal to begin.

Sincerely,

Deane Strongitharm, MCIP, RPP

Attachs.

cc: Malcolm McNaughton, BC Housing Heidi Hartman, BC Housing