VICTORIA – The City of Victoria is collaborating with the Province, through BC Housing and the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) to build 220 new non-market rental homes and create a new neighbourhood community centre with a gym and child care spaces on City-owned land at 930/926 Pandora Avenue.
“This proposed redevelopment will breathe new life into a long vacant property that stretches nearly half a city block bordering on the Downtown and North Park neighbourhoods,” said Mayor and CRHC Chair Lisa Helps. “This is an exciting and inclusive neighbourhood revitalization project that will provide a community centre for both downtown and North Park, which have long been advocating for one, and will provide much-needed housing for families and others in need of safe, secure affordable housing in the midst of a housing crisis.”
The proposed mixed-use development will include approximately 19,000 square feet of community space owned by the City on the ground floor with plans for a community centre with neighbourhood programs, a gymnasium, as well as child care services.
The development concept will also include approximately 170 affordable rental housing units, leased and operated by CRHC, and up to 50 supportive housing units, which would be leased by the Province. BC Housing would select an experienced non-profit operator for the supportive housing.
“This development is incredibly exciting, providing 220 new homes for people who need those homes desperately, as well as delivering amenities to the broader community,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “I would like to thank the City of Victoria and CRHC for bringing this community-building project forward.”
Funding for the 170 rental housing units would come from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund and funding for the 50 supportive housing units would be provided through the Supportive Housing Fund.
BC Housing will lead the development effort and will be responsible for the overall construction of the project, which includes engaging with the community throughout the redevelopment process and ensure the density and design aligns with what is envisioned in the City’s Official Community Plan and the City’s design guidelines respectively. Once more pre-development is done there will be engagement with the broader community through letstalkhousingbc.ca/victoria-926-pandora.
The project aligns with the City’s Housing Strategy priority to advance and support the rapid supply of affordable and supportive housing with government partners and non-profit housing providers in addition to its support of rental housing. It also aligns with the City’s strategic plan to develop a community centre for North Park and the Downtown neighbourhoods.
