Sooke Mayor Maja Tait has approached the provincial government for additional funding to tackle the growing issue of homelessness in the community.
This comes after the Sooke Shelter Society expressed concerns about limited resources to manage an increased number of shelter beds. The society is proposing to open six permanent beds and 13 emergency mats for temporary stays during harsh weather conditions. However, staffing shortages prevent them from doing so.
In a letter to B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, Tait highlighted homelessness as a pressing concern, particularly regarding tent encampments in public areas.
“Homelessness and the risk of it continues to grow alarmingly in the Sooke region,” Tait said.
She added that the district already allocates significant resources towards managing the issue, including bylaw enforcement, police, fire services, and park maintenance personnel.
Tait emphasized the need for safe overnight shelters to reduce tenting in public spaces like Ed Macgregor Park. This, she argued, would enhance community safety for both residents and homeless individuals while alleviating the strain on municipal resources.
The mayor acknowledged the provincial government’s previous support for the Sooke Shelter Society’s Hummingbird Place (formerly known as the Hope Centre). She commended its role in providing housing and support services for vulnerable community members.
Shelter staff identified ground-floor space at Hummingbird Place with the potential to accommodate up to 19 people. Additionally, they evaluated the possibility of using existing space to create 13 emergency beds for overnight stays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Sooke Coun Jeff Bateman, the community’s representative on the Sooke Homelessness Coalition since 2018, pointed out that the initial plan called for only six additional beds.
“Given the increase in tenting, particularly at Ed Macgregor Park, there’s a real need for more beds,” Bateman said, endorsing the Mayor’s request for additional funding.
The final stage of construction at Hummingbird Place is nearing completion and will provide 33 supportive housing suites. However, a waitlist of 45 people already exists for these units.
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