Housing Support Services
The Housing & Support Services department provides a range of emergency shelter and transitional housing options for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Our programs focus on meeting people’s basic needs while upholding their dignity. We offer safe and supportive spaces where individuals can work toward long-term housing and independence with the guidance of caring staff. Our experienced casework team helps community members overcome barriers through client-centered advocacy and connection to critical gateway services.
1 . Emergency Shelter Program
In partnership with BC Housing, our Emergency Shelter Programs provide safe and compassionate lodging for 21 individuals in urgent need of housing. We operate year-round. Guests are able to have their basic needs met (a safe place to sleep, nutritious meals, access to daily hygiene supports, and laundry services) with the help of caring staff. ARC delivers an array of psycho-social activities and supports in-house and provides case management to guests. This includes helping guests with employment, social assistance applications, and securing longer-term accommodations.
2. Transitional Housing Program
The ARC provides 28 transitional housing beds in for guests transitioning out of the shelter programs who continue to experience housing insecurity. THP guests are provided with an affordable, safe and supportive living environment. Individuals in THP work with caseworkers to navigate barriers as they seek long-term accommodations in the community. The housing navigator provides guests with follow-up support while they transition to their new homes.
3. Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH)
The HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT ACTION RESPONSE TEMPORARY HOUSING (HEARTH) is a BC Housing initiative to provide emergency shelter and support services to individuals currently living in encampments downtown. Through this initiative, the ARC provides 32 shelter beds to meet the immediate needs of people seeking accommodations and services as an alternative to the encampments. Guests will have access to all of the services currently available to shelter guests, and the ARC participates in Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) to assist with placement.
4. Short-Term Engagement Program (STEP)
In partnership with the City of Victoria, the Short-term Engagement Program (STEP) provides 13 shelter spaces for people without access to housing.
“This expansion creates opportunities for 13 people in our city to not have to worry about where they will sleep tonight, where their next meal will come from, or where they can get a hot shower and have their needs met. They will be welcomed into a dignified space to access the resources they need to thrive. This includes a full complement of support staff to assist individuals in securing long-term housing, pursuing recovery options, and/or connecting with specialized services they require to break the cycle of homelessness.” - Jonathan Hopkins, Executive Director
5. Emergency Weather Response
The ARC is the primary Emergency Weather Response site in the city. We make room for an additional 30 emergency shelter spaces at the ARC between November and April when winter weather threatens the health of those experiencing homelessness. Our space in the chapel and community dining room open when an extreme weather alert is activated. Guests can come in from the cold for dinner and remain overnight. In the morning, they are provided with breakfast. This past EWR season, the ARC hosted the EWR Coordinator position – responsible for enacting EWR protocols when the weather gets cold and notifying other EWR sites and services in the city.