A group of tenants is facing rising rents and uncertain circumstances as the Capital Regional District plans to redevelop the Village on the Green (VoG) community at 1132 Johnson St.

B次元官网网址淲hat am I supposed to do? Who is going to help us?B次元官网网址� said Kym A. Hines, a VoG resident and longtime housing and anti-poverty advocate.

The project aims to demolish the current 38-unit VoG development this spring to make way for 160 new affordable units. As a result, current tenants must sign new lease agreements when they are relocated, with terms that differ significantly from their existing ones.

In late November, residents were notified that the project was underway, and the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) would begin working with them to facilitate their relocation.

The VoG community is made up of people with disabilities, seniors, and families on a variety of affordable housing plans, including rent-geared-to-income (RGI) agreements, subsidized housing, and affordable market housing.

When Hines moved to VoG, he signed an RGI contract, agreeing to pay 30 per cent of his income toward rent. Hines, who is on disability and receives government assistance, said the changes have been challenging.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 on disability. I get like $1,300 or $1,400 a month. IB次元官网网址檓 on a fixed income, and IB次元官网网址檒l be on a pension soon. IB次元官网网址檓 about to move into a wheelchair,B次元官网网址� he said.

Hines said his rent recently increased by $125 to $419 a month when BC Housing reduced his subsidy, leaving him to pay more out of pocket.

Under BC HousingB次元官网网址檚 current policy, residents with supplemented incomes are no longer eligible for RGI housing contracts and are instead subject to the provinceB次元官网网址檚 flat rate, which changes annually and is currently $500 a month.

B次元官网网址淚 have to sign under duress,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that he will lose the 30-per-cent-income contract when he moves out.

Hines said CRHCB次元官网网址檚 ability to address tenant concerns is limited by BC HousingB次元官网网址檚 policies.

B次元官网网址淏C Housing is strong-arming CRHC, making us believe thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing we can do,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧eople are being pressured. ItB次元官网网址檚 not cool.B次元官网网址�

One resident currently renting through affordable market housing said they would face a steeper increase if they remained in the same housing category.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e going to increase my rent by $500 minimum, up to $1,100, on top of my current rent,B次元官网网址� said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

The resident added that tenants had initially believed their existing agreements would transfer to their new units with no rent changes.

B次元官网网址淚 was very upset,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey didnB次元官网网址檛 disclose their intention for the rent hike until the last minute. Who can prepare to pay another $500?B次元官网网址�

Andy Orr, the senior manager for corporate communications at the CRD, confirmed that new agreements would be required.

B次元官网网址淭enancy agreements are a legal contract for a home. They arenB次元官网网址檛 transferable, and therefore, yes, everyone will need a new tenancy agreement,B次元官网网址� said Orr.

Some tenants no longer qualify for affordable market housing and will have to apply for subsidized housing.

B次元官网网址淭he only people who have had to do any kind of application are those moving from affordable/market tenancies to rent-geared-to-income tenancies,B次元官网网址� said Orr. B次元官网网址淭his should be a massive advantage as they go from not having a subsidy to having a subsidy. Typically, there is a years-long wait for RGI.B次元官网网址�

While tenants acknowledged they might face a smaller rent increase if they switched to subsidized housing, some are reluctant to do so.

B次元官网网址淏efore moving into VoG, I was in subsidized housing in Caledonia Corner. That was really bad. There was graffiti inside the building,B次元官网网址� said one resident. B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 like living there.B次元官网网址�

Hines is also concerned about finding accommodations that meet his needs. And some tenants question why the redevelopment is necessary at all.

B次元官网网址淚 was a bit surprised because I thought our building was being taken care of,B次元官网网址� said Hines. B次元官网网址淲e just had the roof replaced, which was a lot of money, and then suddenly, we hear about redevelopment.B次元官网网址�

An email from BC Housing stated they were not actively involved in the project and directed questions to CRHC. However, the statement did point out the benefits of the project. "To help people with a range of incomes, redeveloping properties is one of the ways housing providers can replace aging units with modern affordable homes, which creates stronger and healthier communities." 

In a letter to residents, the CRD stated the site was identified for redevelopment due to the age and condition of the buildings, its location near employment and services, and the City of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 2016 community plan encouraging multi-unit residential development. The redevelopment would also allow for a substantial net increase in affordable housing units.

The Village on the Green project has a conceptual budget of $81 million and is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025, with completion projected after 30 months.