Victoria’s Housing Project for Local Hospitality Workers
The pressing need for affordable housing has been a long-standing concern in Greater Victoria, particularly for the hardworking individuals who power the local hotel and hospitality industry. The lack of affordable housing options not only poses significant challenges for workers but also impacts
the overall operations of many businesses within the sector.
For that reason, Destination Greater Victoria partnered with the City of Victoria and the Greater Victoria Housing Society to help fund a below market purpose-built rental project. The funding for that project came from the Online Accommodation Platform Municipal Regional District Tax revenues. Which were allocated for affordable housing purposes. Since 2018, funds from short-term vacation rentals in Victoria, which impact housing supply adversely, have been collected through Online Accommodation Platform Municipal Regional District Tax revenues and allocated to the City of Victoria’s Housing Reserve Fund, specifically earmarked for the creation of affordable workforce housing for hotel and hospitality workers.
While workforce housing development isn't core to Destination Greater Victoria’s work, Destination Greater Victoria, the City of Victoria, and its partners contributed to addressing the issue of workforce housing. Contributing $2.5 million in Online Accommodation Platform Municipal Regional District Tax funds to the project closed the project’s existing equity gap and enabled the project, which has already received zoning approvals, to move forward. In return for this funding contribution, the Greater Victoria Housing Society will prioritize housing units within the building for hotel and hospitality workers. Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria notes, "We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort that will not only provide much- needed housing but also enhance the overall quality of life for our dedicated hotel and hospitality workers."
The Destination Effect is a joint initiative by Destinations International and Tempest. To share your destination's success story, please email join@destinationeffect.com.
