More than 500 affordable homes open in Greater Victoria

Press Release

March 25, 2025

VICTORIA – People living in Greater Victoria now have more affordable housing options with 530 new rental homes open or opening soon in the community.

“Having access to secure, affordable housing makes a difference in people’s lives,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Over 3,500 affordable homes have been opened in Greater Victoria to provide people with a safe foundation to navigate the challenges of everyday life. These newest 530 homes offer greater stability and opportunity for people, including those experiencing homelessness, and will help more families find homes in the community they love.”

The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $62 million in grant funding to help deliver 530 homes across five projects intended for people with low to moderate incomes, including Indigenous people, seniors, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness.

The five new housing projects that have opened or are opening soon are as follows:

Camas House: 66 on-reserve homes at 1504A Admirals Rd. in Victoria for members of the Songhees Nation, operated by M’akola Housing Society.
Crosstown: 154 homes (100 affordable and 54 supportive homes) at 584 Burnside Rd. E. in Victoria, operated by Victoria Cool Aid Society.
The Ferns: Located at 496/498 Cecilia Rd. in Victoria, 88 homes will be operated by Pacifica Housing and 59 child care spaces will be managed by Burnside Gorge Community Association.
The Lions: 137 homes at 874 Fleming St. in Esquimalt, operated by Greater Victoria Housing Society.
The Woodlands: 85 homes at 3700 Cedar Hill Rd. in Saanich, operated by Dawson Heights Housing Society.

The affordable homes at Crosstown, The Lions and The Ferns are open, and people have started moving into their new homes. Camas House, The Woodlands and the 54 supportive homes at Crosstown are expected to open shortly.

“I am a single mother of a teenager with disability, and I was looking for a new place that is not too far from Esquimalt High School where my child attends,” said T.B., a resident of The Lions at Fleming. “My apartment is beautiful and everything I could have asked for. I love that it is within walking distance to the high school for my child, and he does not have to rely on the bus, which has always made me a bit nervous.”

These projects are part of the $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes delivered or underway, including more than 7,200 homes in Greater Victoria.

Learn More:

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for people in British Columbia, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available here: https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/homes-for-BC

To learn how BC Housing is helping to build strong, inclusive communities, visit: https://www.bchousing.org/podcast

Two backgrounders follow.

Contacts:

Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
236 478-0251

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER 1

What people are saying about the new homes

Chief Ronald Sam, Songhees Nation –

“qʷɫaʔəléutxʷ (Camas House) represents a new chapter for the Songhees Nation, one of growth, community and home. This long-awaited housing project is a vital step in ensuring some of our members have a place to live, thrive and stay connected to our land, our community and culture.”

Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care –

“Creating new child care spaces when we build new homes for working families just makes sense. We are increasing access to child care and also helping parents with the cost of child care. These child care spaces will be part of the fee-reduction program, which is another way that our government is helping lift working people up, especially women, and building stronger local economies.”

Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake –

“These new homes are a vital addition to our community, providing people more affordable housing options that meet their diverse needs. I am grateful to all partners involved who made it possible to open the doors of the new homes and provide safe places for families, seniors and others needing extra support to secure stable housing.”

Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood –

“Families, seniors and individuals are starting to move into the 137 new, affordable homes in Esquimalt. These new homes will serve as a great foundation for people looking to establish or maintain roots in the community. It would not have been possible without the generous contributions of partners who demonstrated what can be done when we work together for the community.”

Carolina Ibarra, CEO, Pacifica Housing –

“We are proud to be part of this significant step toward addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in our region. The Ferns, with its 88 units, represents more than just a place to live; it’s a community built to support families, individuals and children. We are grateful to the Province for their ongoing commitment to affordable housing and for supporting the delivery of over 500 affordable homes across Greater Victoria.”

Elin Bjarnason, CEO, Victoria Cool Aid Society –

“We are extraordinarily proud that Crosstown brings together, under one roof, so many of the services and supports people need to heal. Supportive and affordable housing, health care and a path to recovery, and nutritious meals: all available and without the barriers that prevent people from seeking and accessing care.”

Kevin Albers, CEO, M’akola Housing Society –

“M’akola Housing Society is honoured to partner with the Songhees Nation in bringing qʷɫaʔəléutxʷ (Camas House) to life. This project represents more than just housing, it is a beacon of hope, resilience and cultural connection for the community. As the property manager, we are committed to ensuring that qʷɫaʔəléutxʷ becomes a place where individuals and families can build a strong foundation for their futures, rooted in their traditions and identity.”

Peter Parker, board chair, Dawson Heights Housing Society –

“Partnered with BC Housing and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and drawing on 60 years of successful affordable housing experience, Dawson Heights Housing Society is thrilled to be opening the third and final phase of our redevelopment project. The Woodlands at Dawson Heights offers 85 much-needed affordable homes for seniors.”

Virginia Holden, executive director, Greater Victoria Housing Society –

“With the new Lions at Fleming building, we are responding to community needs with an eye toward the future. By replacing an outdated structure that no longer served our community, we are proud to introduce a vibrant, sustainable space that includes much-needed family units and innovative environmental features. Together, we are building for the future and contributing to thriving communities.”

Contacts:

Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
236 478-0251

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER 2

What to know about the projects

The Province, through BC Housing, invested approximately $62 million in grants for 530 homes across five projects in Greater Victoria. The following funding information does not represent the total budget of each project that has additional funding sources.

Camas House, 1504A Admirals Rd., Songhees First Nation:

The on-reserve project provides 66 below-market rental homes for Songhees Nation members, managed by M’akola Housing Society.
The Province, through BC Housing, invested approximately $10 million for the project.
The federal government, through Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC), provided $9.9 million through the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) Cities Stream.
The Songhees Nation provided the land, which has a value of approximately $2.8 million.
The Capital Regional District applied to CMHC’s RHI Cities Stream funding under the National Housing Strategy, and partnered with BC Housing and Songhees Nation on the new rental housing development.
Aryze, the builder of the project, contributed $525,000 of in-kind design services.

Crosstown, 584 Burnside Rd. E., Victoria:

The project includes 100 affordable rental homes for individuals, families and people with disabilities, and 54 supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness.
The housing is managed by Victoria Cool Aid Society.
The Province, through BC Housing, invested $28.2 million for the 154 homes: $10.6 million from the Building BC: Community Housing Fund and $17.6 million from the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund.
The Province is also providing a total of $3.5 million in annual operating funding.
The federal government, through CMHC, provided $11.3 million from the Affordable Housing Fund.
Victoria Cool Aid Society provided the land, valued at $8.4 million, as well as cash equity of $659,000.
Other contributions include approximately $469,000 from the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure grant and $158,000 from Fortis.

The Ferns, 496/498 Cecilia Rd., Victoria:

The project provides 88 affordable rental homes for individuals, families and people with disabilities, managed by Pacifica Housing.
The development also includes 59 child care spaces expected to open in June 2025.
The Province, through BC Housing, invested approximately $10.2 million for the 88 homes from the Building BC: Community Housing Fund and is providing approximately $895,000 in annual operating funding.
The Province, through the Ministry of Education and Child Care, invested more than $2.9 million to support the creation of the 59 new licensed child care spaces.
The federal government, through CMHC, provided $6.6 million from the Affordable Housing Fund.
The City of Victoria is leasing the land to Pacifica for a nominal fee and provided $500,000 from the Victoria Housing Reserve Fund.

The Lions, 874 Fleming St., Esquimalt:

The project provides 137 affordable rental homes for individuals, families and people with disabilities, managed by Greater Victoria Housing Society.
The Province, through BC Housing, invested approximately $14.5 million from the Building BC: Community Housing Fund for the project and is also providing approximately $397,000 in annual operating funding.
The federal government, through CMHC, provided $6.4 million from the Affordable Housing Fund.
The Greater Victoria Housing Society provided the land for the project, valued at approximately $6.2 million.

The Woodlands, 3700 Cedar Hill Rd., Saanich:

The project provides 85 affordable rental homes for seniors, managed by Dawson Heights Housing Society.
The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $8.2 million through the Federal Bilateral Canada Community Housing Initiative and approximately $1 million from the Building BC: Community Housing Fund. Approximately $414,000 is also provided in annual operating funding.
The federal government, through CMHC, provided $4.2 million from the Affordable Housing Fund, as well as seed funding.
Dawson Heights Housing Society provided the land as well as $800,000 in cash equity.
The District of Saanich provided $170,000 from the Saanich Housing Fund.

Contacts:

Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
236 478-0251

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org

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