In a move to give Victoria's growing homeless population "a hand up, not just a hand out," the Our Place Society had its official opening last Tuesday at its new location on Pandora Avenue.
Our Place is an amalgamation of the Open Door and the Upper Room, side-by-side neighbours which for many years advocated for the homeless through the United Church of Canada.
The alliance was the brainchild of Rev. Al Tysick and Rev. Dave Stewart, both of whom have worked to improve the lot of Victoria's homeless for decades.
"It came as a dream and a vision for both of us to combine our services. One of the things that has always struck us is that we can't be in competition — we have to be together," said Stewart.
The event was attended by representatives from the city's homeless community and a host of dignitaries including Victoria Mayor Allan Lowe, provincial Housing Minister Rich Colemen and councilor Frank George.
"I ask for the insight to see beyond our own self-interest for the greater good of our community and for all who hunger," said Tysick.
"It brings tears to my eyes," said a homeless man after the ribbon cutting ceremony.
In his opening speech Tysick honoured the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations for the land on which Our Place is situated. He prayed for the strength to end homelessness and enough wisdom to work toward the goal of ending poverty in Canada.
George, an elected council member of the Songhees Band, was presented with a traditional blanket and tobacco.
Mayor Lowe said Our Place will make a difference in the lives of "those citizens that require a hands-up approach that will allow them to break that cycle of homelessness, mental illness, and addictions."
He added that while what the homeless need is stable, affordable housing, this takes "a lot of time and money" in a city as expensive as Victoria. However, it remains a top priority of the City.
"We are looking at buying some open stock so we don't have to wait as long. We are working with B.C. housing to try to look at where more funding can come from to make that happen," Lowe said.
The new building provides 45 transitional housing units with a laundry, hygiene facilities that include a footbath, a drop-in centre, a chapel, clothing and a computer room complete with 15 new computers.
Among the variety of programs available is the unique Aboriginal Committee of Empowerment, an environment for sharing knowledge and understandings from different aboriginal cultures and traditions.
Over 300 meals a day are served, and a well-constructed courtyard provides social inclusion as well as privacy and a buffer zone from the street.
Coleman said communities working together are key to solving homelessness, and commended volunteers and "people like Rev. Tysick who have a long-term commitment to their community. This place is a big part — it's going to change lives. If we have a heart for all humanity we will be successful in breaking the back of homelessness in our society."
A City of Victoria task force on homelessness found there are 2,500 homeless persons in Victoria — a number that is growing because of rising food and housing prices and low income.
Tysick said that in over 40 years of working with the homeless he has seen the same health, addiction and intellectual issues as in the broader society, the only difference being poverty and a lack of affordable housing.
Grants for the amalgamation came from several sources, including the federal government, the Province of B.C. and donations. The building gets a property tax exemption from the City of Victoria.
Stewart said there's a need for more such ventures both in Victoria and across British Columbia.
"This provides a springboard to get moving … moving forward and bringing accomplishment."
Resident Monty is very happy in his new home, calling Our Place "wonderful to live in."
"It has been a great move for me. It allowed me to have some patience and plan for a future that I didn't see happening at all before. I was living on the streets here in town. Now I'm not down on the corner that I was hanging out on 24/7. My time is used up helping out around here and picking up around the neighbourhood."
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