Correspondence: Mayor Helps, City of Victoria, Re: Modular Housing

June 22, 2020

Mayor and Council Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, BC V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Screech and Council,

I hope you are all doing well in these challenging and unprecedented times. Thanks for your committed leadership and for your service to your communities.

I’m writing because I need your help. As I’m sure you’re aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in homelessness in our region. When the pandemic hit, shelters for people experiencing homelessness closed or cut their numbers to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. This reduced capacity, combined with the closure of other services, meant that the only option left for many people was to sleep outside. Add to this the people who have recently lost their jobs or fallen on hard times and have found themselves living outside.

Because Victoria is where the majority of services are located, when people in the region find themselves homeless, they end up on Victoria’s streets and in our parks.

Coming out of the pandemic, we understand that the Province – hopefully with federal support – may be doing another round of funding for permanent housing with supports for people experiencing homelessness, including some which might be delivered on a rapid basis through modular construction. We also understand that BC Housing is looking to purchase land across the region for the development of modular housing. Our planning department is working hard with them to identify appropriate sites in the City of Victoria. In order to meet the need for the residents of our region, we’re going to need hundreds of units across the region.

Over the past few years the Province has opened more than 2,200 units of modular supportive housing across B.C. BC Housing undertook research on the first seven buildings to open (338 units in seven buildings in the lower mainland) to identify the benefits of this housing to people and to communities. A few highlights stood out for me: 84% of residents experienced an overall increase in their wellbeing. And, for those of those us wanting to ensure that supportive housing fits into our communities, 82% experienced positive relationships with neighbours. The research summary is enclosed for your review.

I have two requests:

1. Could your Council pass a motion supporting in principle the addition of modular housing with supports to your housing stock, signalling to the Province that your local government is a willing partner in addressing the regional challenge of homelessness.
2. Could your Council pass a motion calling on the federal government to match provincial funding for modular housing units.

I would also like to request an opportunity to present to your Council (virtually or in person) along with a representative from BC Housing to share information, answer questions, and discuss our collective challenges and opportunities.

With heartfelt thanks in advance and gratitude as always,

Lisa Helps Victoria Mayor