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[Victoria Watcher]

A commentary by a former public servant and James Bay resident.

Most Victoria councillors identified affordable housing as a priority in their 2022 election campaigns. Their voting record since taking office tells a different story.

When this council took office in November 2022, the city had an Inclusionary Housing and Community Amenity Policy that applied to rezoning applications for multi-family residential developments. The policy set an expectation that 10% to 20% of units be affordable (generally 20% for larger projects). For projects with fewer than 60 units, developers could provide cash-in-lieu, with 70% allocated to the city’s Housing Reserve Fund (which funds affordable housing) and 30% to the Local Amenities Fund.

In May 2023, the policy came before council with minor updates recommended by staff. Notably, staff did not recommend changing the 10-20% affordability expectation. However, Coun. Jeremy Caradonna (seconded by Coun. Dave Thompson) moved to reduce the percentage of affordable units expected by the policy, without specifying a minimum.

Staff advised that previous economic analysis supported a 10% requirement. Coun. Stephen Hammond (seconded by Coun. Marg Gardiner) then moved to set the expectation at 10%.

This passed with support from Mayor Marianne Alto and councillors Caradonna, Chris Coleman, Gardiner, Hammond and Krista Loughton, with councillors Matt Dell, Susan Kim and Thompson opposed.

Dell (seconded by Caradonna) then moved to reduce cash-in-lieu contributions to the Housing Reserve Fund from 70% to 30%. Alto and Caradonna, Coleman, Dell, Gardiner, Kim, Loughton and Thompson voted in favour, with only Hammond opposed. Kim declared a conflict and did not vote.

 

https://www.timescol...s-goal-12333703

 

 

 

 

Trust a "former public servant" to support the shell game of new developments somehow managing to use market rates and sales figures to try to subsidize "affordable" units.

[Victoria Watcher]

A new five-storey building is under construction in Victoria which will include 34 culturally supportive homes for Indigenous peoples, the province announced Wednesday.

The building, called the Wellness House, is expected to open in early 2028 at 938 Mason Street.

The 34 units will include 33 studios and one two-bedroom unit for Indigenous people aged 19 or older who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The province says rent will run up to $500 for a studio unit and up to $695 for the two-bedroom unit, depending on income, and will align with provincial shelter rates.

Each unit will include its own bathroom, a kitchenette, and a full-size refrigerator. There will be a shared amenity room, dining room, office space and dedicated cultural room.

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The province says local Elders, knowledge keepers and Indigenous peoples with lived experience will guide the building’s programming, which include things like life skills and employment training, daily meals, access to health supports, and connection to community services.

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The federal and B.C. governments are providing $9 million each, the City of Victoria is contributing $262,500 – the First Nation Health Authority is providing $474,000 – the Victoria Native Friendship Centre is contributing $150,000, Vancity Credit Union is providing $60,000, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is contributing $25,000.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...ctoria-1328596/

 

 

$575,000 per studio suite.  24 hour staff that costs at least $290,000/yr or double if they have at least 2 staff on hand.  Daily meals included, even though every suite has a kitchen.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 June 2026 - 08:35 AM.