Sharing the social burden

Victoria’s contribution to an affordable-housing project in Saanich could be an argument in favour of amalgamation — problems and issues aren’t confined by municipal boundaries, so let’s do away with those boundaries.

Or it could be an argument against amalgamation — we’re already co-operating on problems we share; one massive municipal government is not necessary.

Victoria city council has agreed to contribute $112,000 to the Cool Aid Society’s Cottage Grove project on Quadra Street. Saanich will contribute the same amount, and the society is looking for a grant of about $675,000 from the Capital Regional District Housing Trust Fund.

Plans for the $7.4-million project call for 45 units of supportive housing for tenants 55 and older who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

It makes sense for Victoria to participate in the project, which sits less than a block outside the city’s boundary. Few people are even aware that they have left one municipality and entered another. The people who will have a home in the project won’t care whether they are living in Victoria or Saanich, and it will likely help alleviate the problem of homelessness in the downtown core.

“We have to always remind others that homelessness is not just a City of Victoria problem and not just a City of Victoria solution,” said Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe.

On the other hand, Victoria carries a disproportionate share of the burden of homelessness and crime.

Amalgamation might result in a more equitable sharing of the burdens, but amalgamation, if it ever happens, is years away. The problems won’t wait. Meanwhile, the Cottage Grove project is a good example of how municipalities can work together on shared problems.