BC Housing has built 56 supportive homes at 953 Balmoral Road
VICTORIA – More supportive housing units will be opening in Victoria with a new five-storey building at 953 Balmoral Rd. The Lily has 56 studio apartments as well as a commercial kitchen, amenity room and offices for staff.
The Lily will be operated by the Victoria Cool Aid Society, a non-profit organization that has been providing housing and health services in the Capital region since 1968. Cool Aid is also an experienced developer of supportive and affordable housing.
“We are very excited to have partnered with BC Housing to offer 56 brand new units of supportive housing at one of Cool Aid’s original sites,” said Elin Bjarnason, CEO, Cool Aid. “The building at 953 Balmoral is beautiful – both inside and out – and we know that people will be thrilled to call it home.”
The Lily is part of a plan announced in 2021 to develop six supportive housing sites in the Capital region to help address homelessness. These projects, all of which are open, have delivered 286 permanent supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness across greater Victoria.
The homes managed by Cool Aid provide services to the residents. Onsite supports include: 24/7 staffing, Meal programs, Life skills training and employment assistance, Health care referrals and wellness support and Connection and referral to community services and support groups.
The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $16.6 million to the project through the Building BC: Permanent Housing Plan and will provide approximately $1.4 million in annual operating funding through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund. The land (two lots at 953 and 959 Balmoral Rd.) was also purchased by the province for $2.7 million, including property transfer tax.
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