BC Housing Issues Summary
Technical summary from BC Housing addressing communication, training, policies, and the resident transition plan.
INTRODUCTION:
In response to a community crisis in the Capital Regional District, the province opened up several shelter and housing options throughout the Capital Regional District. This included 1st Metropolitan Shelter, My Place Shelter, Mt Edward Court, Johnson Street Community and Choices. Many of these sites were to be temporary but have been extended due to the ongoing challenges of homelessness in Victoria.
The Choices site was originally opened up on a six month basis and has been extended. A temporary use permit is being requested as its current use of a shelter is not the long term plan for this site and we plan to discontinue the use by the end of 2017.
The residents at Choices will be transitioned to permanent housing that include existing supportive housing projects in Victoria, as well as a new acquisition that we anticipate will be coming in the fall or early winter. As this acquisition requires renovation we are unable to confirm specific dates at this time.
Longer term, the Province will consult the community prior to bringing forward any rezoning application.
COMMUNICATIONS:
As outlined in the response from the Director of Protective Services report, a work around has been developed to address the CREST Radio system challenges at Choices. False alarms have been reduced by removing the cooking equipment that was contributing to these calls.
TRAINING OF CHOICES STAFF:
Our Place requires the following training of Choices staff:
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training –(2 day intensive training course)
- Occupational Health and Safety Training
- First Aid
Some of the staff at Choices are trained as Social Workers, and many staff have Diploma’s in Mental Health and Addictions.
Overseeing the site is the Director of Housing. Debbie has extensive experience in working with agencies caring for people with substance use issues, mental health challenges, poverty and homelessness. Her experience includes working for an accredited organization where an independent consultant did a safety review, where her team received top marks.
The Our Place Society is open to provide additional training opportunities for the staff and work closely with the View Royal Director of Protective Services to address any concerns brought forward and update policies to reflect these concerns.
Policies:
Our Place is implementing a Violence Risk Assessment process and on and ongoing basis will work with staff to identify areas that require attention.
In light of the challenges identified by neighbors last summer, Our Place has been proactive in initiating Resident Rules about noise. Each resident is required to adhere to these house rules.
It is anticipated that since the tents have been removed and that all residents inside, that there will be a significant reduction in noise over the previous summer.
NEIGHBHORHOOD COMMUNICATION AND LONG RANGE PLANNING:
Monthly meetings with neighbors and community will continue. Our Place Society have provided their 24/7 phone number to enable community to contact them immediately for concerns. Security is also available on their shifts to address concerns.
BC Housing commits to on going communication and attendance at monthly meetings.
The Province will consult the community prior to bringing forward any rezoning application.
WEAPONS:
Our Place has strong policies regarding weapons. Our Place has initiated an Ethical Decision Making process for staff to use when faced with difficult decision about weapons.
As part of the Violence Risk Assessment, Our Place will be reviewing policies, as needed.
SECURITY:
A meeting with neighbors of Choices was organized and held March 28th, to develop a security model that will work for the neighborhood. Our Place Society and BC Housing encourage on gong feedback from neighbours as to how the security model is working and will adjust as needed.
TRANSITION PLAN FOR RESIDENTS:
With the best practices in learned from transitioning down My Place Shelter, Our Place and BC Housing will work with housing providers to transition residents from Choices to permanent housing opportunities. Since Choices has opened, 45 residents have already transitional through Choices into permanent housing.
These steps include:
- Residents of Choices will undergo a VAT (Vulnerability Assessment Tool) to assist in their individual case planning and determine the best type of housing based on their needs. For many residents the VAT is already done.
- A date will be determined when vacancies at Choices will no longer be filled. We anticipate this will be 3-4 months prior to Choices winding down.
- Weekly meetings with Victoria Housing providers will be initiated to identify Choices residents for housing vacancies that come available.
- Many of the residents from Choices will move directly to new housing resources when renovations are complete.