Sept 25 - 1,700+ Victorians without a home

Good morning !

The temperatures are starting to dip and while it’s sad to say goodbye to summer, it’s a relief to see the risk of wildfires go down. Thanks to some rainy, chilly weather on the Island this week, Category 1 and 2 fire bans have been lifted.

If you’re hoping to squeeze in a camping trip before it gets too cold, you’ll be able to roast marshmallows on a real campfire .

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 17 / 11

Tomorrow: ⛅ 16 / 12

Day after: 🌧️ 15 / 12

NEWS

Victoria’s 2025 Point in Time count found 1,700+ unhoused

Earlier this year, in a 24-hour period, a crew of 130 community volunteers set out to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in Victoria. 

Yesterday, the results were released; on the night of March 25 and during the day on March 26, at least 1,749 people were without a home. 

This is a slight increase from the last Point in Time (PiT) count in March 2023, when 1,665 were found homeless. 

Not all of the 1,700+ spent the night in the same way; they slept in tents, shelters, or on a friend’s couch.

Where people spent the night:

• 318 were unsheltered

• 493 stayed in emergency shelters

• 73 were couch surfing

• 112 were using a public system

• 750 were in transitional housing

The report found notable shifts among Victoria's homeless community, including a rise in safety concerns around shelters and an increase of substance use. Respondents say the two largest barriers to housing are low income and the high cost of rent in the city. More than half of those surveyed said they were on the wait list for subsidized or supportive housing, with some waiting for two years without long-term housing.

The report’s authors write that their findings serve as a reference point for support-service providers and decisionmakers to respond accurately to the unique needs of the city’s homeless population. 

“These findings offer a meaningful opportunity to explore the root causes of homelessness within our local context and to better understand how it can be prevented in the region,” the report reads.

“This count serves as both a snapshot in time and a reminder that behind each data point is a person, a story, and a fundamental right to safe, appropriate, and permanent housing,” the report’s authors wrote.

Read on to find out what factors led 1,700+ people in our city to be homeless during this year’s PiT.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Overdose advisory for Greater Victoria. [Island Health]

Superior closed westbound, between Douglas and Government, for BC Hydro repairs today, 9am-3pm. [City of Vic]

Saanich Single lane alternating traffic: 

• West Saanich between Interurban and Wallace, 9am-3pm today

• Grange between Laburnum and Galloping Goose, 9am-3pm until Oct. 10

Saanich Road closure:

• Roy between Wilkinson and Elizabeth, all day until Dec. 24

NEWS

CRD’s economy needs to diversify to get on solid ground, says report

The authors of a report on Greater Victoria’s economy say without some serious repositioning, “the high quality of life we have long enjoyed” is under threat. 

The report by the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) is entitled “Igniting Momentum,” and it finds the region to be under various simultaneous pressures—tariffs and the uncertainty of global trade, labour shortages, and affordability challenges, to name a few—which could lead to fewer economic opportunities, increased inequality, a lessened access to services such as health care, and young people moving to more affordable regions.

“This is not just about weathering a trade dispute or managing affordability pressures,” the report said. 

“It is about whether we as leaders of Greater Victoria choose complacency, or choose collaborative action.”

A SIPP task force conducted surveys and various forms of engagement with community and business leaders to identify several systemic risks that, if not addressed, it said could compromise the local economy, including persistent affordability pressure, an overreliance on the public sector, and a widening mismatch in what skills we have versus what skills we need.

The task force’s call to action includes:

• Expanding the housing supply

• Diversifying investments in tourism, technology, life sciences, manufacturing, agriculture, and the blue economy

• Recruiting and retaining health-care workers while retraining in AI

• Investing in public safety to secure small businesses

• Collaborating with First Nations and other municipalities

• Cutting bureaucratic red tape for entrepreneurs

• Diversifying exports and strengthening local ownership

“By acting decisively, collaboratively, and with vision, we can create an economy that is more resilient, inclusive, sustainable, and entrepreneurial—an economy that allows businesses to thrive, governments to deliver essential services and people of all backgrounds to see a future for themselves and their families here.”

The report concludes that the emphasis doesn’t sit squarely on the government alone.

“Breaking free from Greater Victoria’s economic stagnation requires the coordinated effort of business, post-secondary institutions, business and industry associations, non-profits, and all orders of government,” the report said.

The report suggests Greater Victoria has been gifted amazing assets to succeed, including a thriving tech sector, globally relevant ocean and climate research, strong universities and colleges, and a lifestyle that attracts talent from around the world.

SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

Skills employers want—and how to prepare.

The current job market is broad-based and resilient, according to LinkedIn’s latest report on the most in-demand jobs.

Overall, the most sought-after jobs right now are in industries including data analytics, healthcare, tech innovation, and project management. Other fast-growing areas are seeing a demand for professionals in mental health, mathematics, and customer service.

“Number-crunching roles like data science specialists may be seeing higher demand as AI continues to reshape businesses, leading to aggressive recruiting tactics for the best-of-the-best AI talent,” says the report.

Interested in sharpening your skills? Explore new professional development opportunities.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦃 New farm friends: Beacon Hill Children’s Farm has welcomed two new turkeys. [BHCF] 

👩🏻‍💼 Protect your rights and dispute your driving prohibition with the help of a knowledgeable lawyer. Contact Acumen Law Corporation today to start your defence.*

🌊 Ocean tech entrepreneurs: COAST Pitchfest competition. [Apply here]

🍂 🎃 Pure Day Spa created a unique Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice Facial to repair sun damage—expertly crafted with science-backed skincare, courtyard-view luxury, pumpkin spice tea, treats, and 10% off toward products.*

💰 Are you a millionaire 31 times over? $31M Lotto Max jackpot won by an online ticket purchased in BC.

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🗞️ In Other News

Victoria’s Emily Lowan, 25, is the new leader of the BC Green Party
After a campaign that spanned nearly three months and a week and a half of voting, Lowan, a climate justice advocate, defeated Jonathan Kerr, a family doctor, by a 3,189-1,908 vote margin. The third-place finisher, Adam Bremner-Akins, amassed 128 votes. Lowan, a Victoria native, will need to run in a byelection or wait until the next provincial vote to secure a seat in the legislature. She replaces Sonia Furstenau, who lost her seat in the last election and stepped down as party leader in January. [BC Greens] 

Suspicious death in Gonzales neighbourhood; major crime unit called in
VicPD responded to a call about an injured man at a home on Armine Place, near Richardson, at around 1:30pm Tuesday. They found a 62-year-old man dead at the scene. A look around the premises “revealed circumstances and evidence deemed to be suspicious,” prompting the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) to be called in to investigate. VicPD said there was no risk to the public. [VicPD]

Campfire bans are lifting today for the Island
Yesterday, BC Wildfire Services announced that it would be lifting the Category 1 and 2 fire bans for the Coastal Fire Centre at noon today. The change is thanks to “recent rain and cooler, fall-like temperatures,” according to the announcement. The North Island will also have its Category 3 ban lifted, though this will remain in place for the rest of the fire centre. [BCWS]

🗓️ Things To Do

🏮 Esquimalt Lantern Fest: Take part in this illuminating annual event—create your own lantern today to show off at the official festival tomorrow. Both evenings will take place in Esquimalt Gorge Park. 5:30-10pm. [Info]

😂 The Shit Show Comedy: Laugh along with award-winning headliner Adam Christie at Whistle Buoy Brewing tonight. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. [Info]

🍂 Fall Planter Workshop: Welcome autumn by creating a vibrant seasonal planter at Patio Gardens tonight. 6:30pm-8pm. [Info]

🍷 VINcabulary: Unexpected France: Discover hidden gems from French wine regions in this guided tasting exploration at Vessel Liquor tonight. 7pm-8:30pm. [Info]

👠 Shade Burlesque Festival: A vibrant multi-day burlesque festival featuring over 30 vivacious performers of colour at McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow and Sat. 8pm. [Info]

🎡 Luxton Fall Fair: The 113-year-old fair is back at the Luxton Fairgrounds in Langford, with all the rides, exhibitions, and tasty autumn treats that people love. Tomorrow 3pm; Sat.-Sun. 12pm. [Info]

🔧 Repair Café West Shore: Volunteer experts will help repair broken items, with tools and materials available for DIY repairs, at Gordon United Church in Langford. Sat. 11am. [Info]

🍎 Apple Pressing and Processing: Learn to press apple juice and process it through water bath canning and wild fermentation, creating shelf-stable juice, apple cider vinegar, or hard cider at Welland Community Orchard. Sun. 10am. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: BCGEU intensifies strike with pickets in front of alcohol and cannabis distribution centres; Dylan Willows’ voice lives on in foundation; Al Ferraby to plead not guilty to child-luring charges. [Sept. 24]

No more bird feeding at Esquimalt Lagoon. [CHEK]

Dallas at Ross Bay: protected bike lanes are being installed. [Times Colonist]

Safety alert: baby nests and loungers may pose risks. [Health Canada]

Free BC Transit for cyclists during Go By Bike Week, which kicks off on Saturday.

Gorge Waterway flood adaptation strategy: Have your say. [Today, 2-4pm] 

All GV Public Libraries will be closed next Tuesday for Truth and Reconciliation Day. [GVPL]

The new Maynard Park playground is open in Cadboro Bay. [Saanich]

That’s it!

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