Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jul 2017
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Bill Cleverley
Page: A4

IN NEW PROPOSAL FOR MOUNT EDWARDS, NO DRUGS ALLOWED

Victoria city councillors scheduled to vote this week on sending
supportive housing plan to public hearing

Illicit drug use would be prohibited in Mount Edwards Court under a
proposal to transform it into supportive and affordable housing units
for residents 50 years and older.

A decision on whether to send a rezoning application for the former
Baptist Housing Society care facility to public hearing is to be made
by Victoria councillors this week.

The proposal, for 1002 Vancouver St., is being put forward by the Cool
Aid Society on behalf of B.C. Housing. It would see up to 93 people
housed in 78 units of supportive housing and 12 studio and
one-bedrooms suites for those able to live independently.

Cool Aid CEO Kathy Stinson said the model was developed in response to
concerns from the neighbourhood, which includes the adjacent Christ
Church Cathedral School.

"What will be happening at Mount Edwards is anyone who is actively
using [drugs] will be screened out," Stinson said.

"Then if somebody starts using while they are there, if they can't get
that under control quickly, then we'll work with them to move on
quickly to somewhere else.

"We're going to be very closely monitoring that."

Mount Edwards Court was purchased by the province for $3.65 million in
2016 and is being used as transitional housing for up to 38 people at
a time.

Parents and officials from the neighbouring Christ Church Cathedral
School have cited safety and security concerns and complained of drug
use and neighbourhood disruption, and the school says attendance has
gone down.

Mayor Lisa Helps believes the proposal is a good fit for the
neighbourhood.

"It's very similar to what was there before the seniors residence
closed down," she said.

"And the most exciting part of the proposal is that the third floor
will be a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments," because it means
the building will be able to accommodate older couples, she said.

"The biggest challenge that all of the people living in the building
will be facing is poverty," Helps said.

Poverty will have been an issue for most residents. Cool Aid says some
residents will: * Have chronic physical health needs * Be managing a
mental illness or a brain injury * Be working to overcome social
isolation * Have mild to moderate cognitive or developmental
challenges * Have struggled with substance use but will be working on
recovery

No one with a history of violence will be admitted.

A minimum of three support staff are to be on site around the clock to
support residents - helping keep units clean and safe, assisting with
medication monitoring, helping residents build positive relationships
and set boundaries and supporting individuals' goals.

Health professionals, including nurses and drug and alcohol
counsellors from Cool Aid's community health centre are to visit
regularly; a light breakfast and one hot meal is to be provided daily
and two communal kitchens will allow residents to make their own
lunches and snacks.

The entrance will be secured and monitored by staff, and exterior
security cameras will also be monitored.

Cool Aid staff will maintain an active presence during school drop off
and pick up times.

The hope is that residents 50 and older will be a little more stable
and settled, Stinson said.

The need for housing for people over 50 is "huge," she said.
"Certainly, we've seen an increasing demographic in our shelters of
people over 50."
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MAP posted-by: Matt