People experiencing or at risk of homelessness now have more safe places to stay with the opening of 25 additional temporary shelter spaces at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) in Saanich, bringing its total number of overnight shelter spaces to 50. “Expanding shelter spaces is a critical step in our commitment to bringing people indoors, keeping people safe and communities strong,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Adding additional temporary shelter capacity in Saanich will help take the pressure off service providers in Victoria and ensure people experiencing homelessness in the region have a safe place indoors this winter. While shelters provide immediate relief to people experiencing homelessness, the Province is continuing to prioritize long-term solutions to the homelessness crisis. Since 2017, the Province has more than 93,600 homes delivered or underway, including almost 6,200 in Greater Victoria.