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Bridge Street Pathways Shelter

A 34-bed referral-based shelter supporting people experiencing homelessness in Victoria

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Contact Us

Phone Number 778-405-4823
Email
bsps@connective.ca

About Bridge Street Pathways Shelter

Bridge Street Pathways Shelter is a 34-bed referral-based shelter supporting people experiencing homelessness in Victoria.

 

This is not a drop-in shelter. Outreach staff will connect with people sheltering outdoors on Pandora Avenue, Ellice Street and other downtown areas, and refer them to the shelter when spaces are available. Priority will be given to people who are actively engaging with support services and are ready be housed and engage in case management.

 

This is a 24-hour program, and participants will have access to:  

  • Three meals daily 
  • Single-occupancy washrooms and showers 
  • Laundry facilities, bedding, and personal hygiene supplies   
  • Day room with computer and wifi access 
  • Personal storage, including day lockers, tote bins, and bicycle storage 

 

Support services are tailored to individual needs and may include: 

  • Wellness checks 
  • Life skills training 
  • Case management 
  • Connection to health care, cultural supports and/or community services 
  • Assistance transitioning to longer-term housing 

 

The program is a partnership with BC Housing and the City of Victoria. The City of Victoria owns this site and funded the renovations. BC Housing provides operating funding under the Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program.

Location

Vancouver Island
If you are looking for this service in another location in BC or the Yukon, please contact us to connect with a Connective partner in your community

Admission Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be 19 years of age or older
  • Be experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in shelters for an extended period
  • Be willing to complete a Supportive Housing Registry (SHR) Application, so they can be connected to Victoria’s Coordinated Access and Assessment
  • Be willing to participate in case management and housing readiness programming
  • Be medically stable and able to independently manage personal care and medications
  • Be able to use stairs independently (site is not wheelchair or scooter accessible)
  • Be able to safely access and use bunk beds
  • Be able to live safely in a shared, congregate setting and not pose a risk to themselves or others.

 

The program does not accept self-referrals or walk-ins. Referrals must be made through a community partner organization or outreach staff.

How to Apply

If you’re referring someone to the shelter, please call the Bridge Street team at 778-405-4823 to discuss the referral and confirm basic eligibility. Please note that referrals submitted without prior contact will not be processed.

 

After connecting with us, we will ask you to submit our BSPS Referral Form and any supporting documentation to bsps@connective.ca

 

Connective will review each application to determine whether the admission criteria have been met. If the individual is eligible, the Outreach Worker and Mental Health Case Manager will meet with the referral agent and the individual to discuss the program and assess their suitability.

 

If the referral is approved, the person will be offered a site tour and an intake date. If the referral is not approved, the person will be notified and advised when their application may be reconsidered.

 

 

FAQs

What is Connective’s experience in Victoria?

While this is Connective’s first program in Victoria, we have more than 30 years of experience providing support services on Vancouver Island. This includes operating 450+ units of transitional, supportive, and affordable housing. This depth of experience allows us to contribute strong operational insight as we work alongside local partners to build a program that is responsive to community needs and rooted in the local context.

 

The project is being led by a Senior Manager with 19 years of experience with shelter operations and working in the community. Their familiarity with both the local landscape and Connective’s programs will ensure the program is thoughtfully developed and well supported. 

What training do staff have?

Connective staff will be equipped with training and skills to support residents. As required by BC Housing, this includes, but is not limited to, crisis prevention training; First Aid/CPR; mental health first aid training; substance use awareness and safety training; and trauma-informed training

What security measures will be on site?

Connective will have no fewer than three staff on-site 24/7. Additional safety measures include: 

  • Fencing with controlled access  
  • Regular indoor/outdoor checks of the property and the immediate area
  • Security cameras monitored by staff 
  • Overnight area patrols contracted by the City of Victoria 
  • No guest policy

Are pets allowed?

While we recognize that many unhoused people have pets, unfortunately, we do not have the infrastructure required to safely support pets. We will be exploring additional supports we can provide in the future to help address this gap.

What is the policy on alcohol and substance use?

We know it’s important to bring people inside and provide shelter first, so we don’t require residents to be sober. 

 

However, this program is not a supervised consumption site or an overdose prevention site. We will adhere to the Province’s public health approaches to substance use.  

Are couples welcome?

Yes! If couples are referred to the shelter, we can accommodate them in the main bunk-bed dormitory.

How will Connective work with the community?

We are committed to supporting and maintaining a safe, healthy, and inclusive community. Our staff will work with partners and the community to ensure the shelter and immediate environment are safe and clean.

 

Our experience shows us that when people gain access to shelter, they often access supports and experience improvements in employment, income, education, mental health, and life skills. 

 

Contact Us

Everyone deserves to feel safe and included in their chosen community, and so we are here for everyone – at every stage, in any circumstance.

 

Whether you’re looking for services or looking for information, we invite you to explore our website or contact our staff anytime using this form.

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