Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

"B.C.'s population has dropped: Here's why it's lower and what it means" as told by Alec Lazenby via @vancouversun.bsky.social #cdnpoli #bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre vancouversun.com/news/bc-lose...

“We’re only a few crisis situations away from homelessness... all of us.” Derek Book, Pacifica Housing. In this video, Derek shares what life looks like for people accessing community services and challenges myths about homelessness. Support the Community Crisis Fund: bit.ly/CommunityCrisisFund

This is a very concerning trend in our province that will do the opposite of solving our #homelessness crisis: delays or rejected permanent supportive #housing + closing temporary #housing + rejection of emergency weather shelters. It is a tragic misalignment #bcpoli🧵

Here’s a 28 min interview on recovery & substance reduction supportive #housing , how it fits w #harmreduction #housingfirst . Also BC’s broader strategy & challenges w opening & keeping SH . #Nanaimo #yyj #bcpoli vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org/podcast/nana...

“Technology is about $5.9 billion, and that $5.4 billion of the charity sector is roughly 20 per cent of our economy.”

Thought I’d go check out the lights at Centennial square. Looks like this owl. Had the same idea! #yyj

This makes sense. Centralizing, even in businesses and non profits that are smaller but multi-region can really increase capacity and efficiency. Alignment takes some time but still worth it. Great move for the Ministry of Health.

“What motivates me is seeing the progress my clients make on their own. We provide the safety net they can fall back on, so they can work on lifting themselves up.” – Sierra, Community Housing Support Worker 💛 Please donate to the Community Crisis Fund: bit.ly/CommunityCri... #givingtuesday

Participated on a wonderful panel at #housingcentral about #housing policy as it relates to non market development. We had as many laughs as serious commentary. The session was packed. As I prepared, I forced myself to look at BC’s housing trajectory from 10K feet. What I saw🧵

The most visible part of this effort is enforcement. However the other side is support. @pacificahousing.bsky.social is one organization doing this work. We’ve done an expanded outreach pilot that has gone out early mornings & evenings since the summer focused on the business corridors 🧵

“Home is a platform for rebuilding lives.” - Ali Paul, Pacifica Housing Board Member. The Community Crisis Fund gives quick, dignified support to neighbours facing homelessness. Join Ali in supporting this essential fund 💚 👉: mailchi.mp/pacificahous... #PHCommunityCrisisFund #Communityimpact

Ilia was working full-time when one crisis pushed him into homelessness. It can happen fast - to anyone. Read his story: bit.ly/3Jf9O91 💛Support the Community Crisis Fund: bit.ly/CommunityCri... #PHCommunityCrisisFund #Communityimpact #BC

“For many people we house, it’s the first time in a long time they feel safe at home.” #PHCommunityCrisisFund helps protect those steps toward stability. When crisis hits, it lets us offer support in the moment it’s needed most. #GivingTuesday is 3 days away. 💛 Give Now: bit.ly/CommunityCri...

Fantastic! Congratulations to Cool Aid, City of Victoria and the Province on this important investment. #housing #bcpoli #yyj

The photo below is of my maternal grandmother (L) & a friend holding a newspaper announcing the end war… Today I acknowledge lives lost & forever changed due to war. May we find ways to prevent war by addressing inequality & desperation that open the door to authoritarianism. #lestweforget

Been trying to read up to make sense of wht the Fed #budget means for #housing and #homelessness. Here’s a 🧵 I agree with CHRA in that I’m hopeful in the committed investment and what I am sensing is a sincere interest in supercharging efforts. chra-achru.ca/news/chra-ap...

There was a harbour seal having a ball on the waters off Dallas road some days back. It was a bit stormy out . They must be having a blast today. #yyj #victoriabc

Happy Friday. Kicking off the weekend with photos of my happy pup recovered from recent surgery. Life is good without a cone. Photos by Pacific Pet Care.

A breathtaking morning on the breakwater. The photos don’t do justice to the bright orange, pink, purple and dark grey colours of the sunrise. #victoriabc #yyj #fall #vancouverisland

Another powerful story. Davidson demonstrates how supportive #housing works, the awareness when residents are not accepted in a community and the pride of belonging. #housing #homelessness #bcpoli

How did a UVic educated young man working a full time job find himself asking “how do I #homeless?” Find out this and how he made it out in by reading Ilia’s powerful impact story from the @pacificahousing.bsky.social Impact Report. #housing #bcpoli #yyj mcusercontent.com/9f005a4599e6...

I am pleased to share @pacificahousing.bsky.social latest impact report. We’ll be highlighting different sections of the report over the following weeks. I highly recommend reading the whole report. The impact stories are powerful. 🧵

Kicking off Homelessness Action Week with the launch of our 2024 Impact Report! Made possible with residents, staff, partners & funders - including: @bchousing.bsky.social, @unitedwaybc.bsky.social , @victoria.ca Together we’re opening doors to stability and independence 💚 Read: bit.ly/48wcgCt.

This is v unfortunate. I understand & respect why but this just means that all those folks on the street & shelters won’t access #housing into after all the relocations happen. Just recently finished relocating people from sites to be redeveloped.

On solving our biggest and emerging issues .. It can be difficult to determine at first glance what are local , provincial, national or global ones. Sometimes we don’t care bc we just want our problem solved. But it’s an important distinction. The why determines the appropriate response.

Nanaimo’s Design Advisory Panel unanimously approved our proposed affordable #housing project with some practical recommendations. Very excited to be moving closer to obtaining a development permit. Much needed in #Nanaimo. Then we’ll just need the capital to build. 🤞. #bcpoli

Tomorrow looks promising.

“It might seem there is an oversupply happening, but it’s not going to last. A surge of new unit completions coming onto the market only lasts for a few years before they are absorbed…if we don’t have…constant addition of units, we are again going to face another housing crisis.”

Yesterday evening’s sunset after a relatively rainy day. Looks like the runners will will get a nice day today for the Royal Victoria Marathon. #yyj #victoriabc #sunset

The look of fall. #victoriabc #yyj #beautifulbc

Great news for #housing in Greater Victoria #yyj. The gains in this region have been really positive over the last few years. It takes time to see results & we are just starting to see them - at least for independent living. I truly hope this can continue and replicate across the Province. #bcpoli

Seaweed and kelp on this cloudy morning. #yyj #victoria

Sunrise on the breakwater. #yyj

I’d like to offer a 3rd perspective. What if both the author of this opinion and Julian Daly are correct. What if they are observing two different parts of one reality. #homelessness #safety #bcpoli 🧵 www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...

I agree with the revenue problem part of this piece and that we can’t afford to cut services. But I do find what’s been laid out a bit simplistic. While there are areas like the carbon tax, it is important to invest in a healthy business enviroment … #bcpoli vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...

Helsinki sunrise.

Being in Finland is helping me understand Canada and in particular BC’s issues through a comparative lens. Basically, the Finnish success is what you get with 40 years of mostly uninterrupted investment in affordable #housing. It’s what you get when there are goals like

This morning I went for a jog in #Helsinki. I’m here to check out first hand how they deliver and operate #housingfirst… and ask many many questions. Thanks to CHRA for organizing & to the Y-Foundation (Y-Säätiö) for hosting. Really looking forward to getting started. #housing

Was out with the pup before 6 am, the sky was as clear as could be with the moon and stars so visible. A street lamp was too bright for the picture to turn out. When I looked down 2 deer were staring at me. What a city to live in #yyj. #beautifulbc

On the topic of rental increase limits that don’t keep a pace with costs … I know it’s hard to take a landlord’s word for it, but let’s look at it from an equity lens. #housing 🧵

A foggy sunrise on the harbour #yyj #beautifulbc

When someone wakes up before 6 am with the energy of a lit firecracker (not me), they get walked/jogged to the Breakwater… I’ll admit I benefit too. #yyj #VancouverIand #beautifulbc

We need input from the cycling community, and others, on where to place our “parking zones” for the e-bike share program. Please provide input. @erikwdv.bsky.social @sarahfrumento.bike @kellyblack.ca @sv-rub-a-dub.bsky.social @raynarambling.bsky.social @bromptonymous.ca engage.victoria.ca/bikeshare

Stay engaged! Here are three quick ways to start: 1. Stay in the know - follow our socials for real stories and updates 2. Read a 2-minute story-about what housing stability looks like - bit.ly/4mLK0Q1 3. Subscribe to our e-newsletter - bit.ly/3TKE9gI?r=lp... #NationalNonprofitDay #HousingFirst

Another bright spot in #housing is the number of more appropriately resourced new supportive housing sites delivered & in process in #BC, the commitment to harm reduction & the willingness to try a different model like @PacificaHousing ‘s Sparrow. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

One of the bright spots in #housing over the last 8 to 10 years is the large number non market units funded and delivered in #BC. The provincial government is largely responsible for this success due to its unwavering support for non profits and its commitment to significantly increasing stock.

This article captures the complexity of the financial situation for both subsidized independent living #affordable #housing & supportive #housing. Regardless of the reasons insufficient resources ultimately compromise safety. #bcpoli www.vicnews.com/local-news/d...

Good morning #Victoria. #yyj

Thank goodness everyone is ok. The Fire Department has been fantastic beyond the dealing with the structure.