Hotel turned housing gets first tenants

Fifty-one units of short-term housing at former Super 8

Former homeless people living in a transitional shelter were the first tenants to move into the former Super 8 hotel on Douglas Street on Wednesday.

Residents will move into the transitional housing building in phases, said B.C. Housing.

The province bought the hotel at 2915 Douglas St. in June as part of a $26-million investment in social housing for homeless people. It has 51 units and will function as transitional housing, with stays of up to 14 months.

The investment was spurred by a B.C. Supreme Court ruling last year on whether the province could evict homeless campers from the courthouse lawn. A judge determined they could stay because there was not enough adequate housing available.

Renovations at the Super 8 building began last fall. Exterior lighting was added, the fire system was upgraded, and a new front entrance was added.

The building will be managed by PHS Community Services Society, which also manages the Central Care Home on Johnson Street. It will offer supportive services such as a meal program, employment and life-skills training, and assistance in accessing mental-health and addiction programs, the province said.

Priority was given to people living in transitional shelters set up by the province to house tent city residents. The shelters — Choices in View Royal, My Place in the former Boys and Girls Club on Yates Street, Mount Edwards Court on Vancouver Street, and a shelter in the First Metropolitan Church — are set to close at the end of this month.

“A regional plan is currently being developed for the other transitional shelters, with a goal that will ensure no residents will be left homeless,” said Ally Skinner-Reynolds of B.C. Housing.

“The regional plan involves identifying options and working with community partners to ensure everyone staying in these shelters has been offered a housing option prior to closure.”