Cameron Diggon, Director of Fund Development brought us a presentation about the Homes for Heroes Foundation. 
Their mission is to integrate all our homeless military veterans into the community through the provision of housing and support services across Canada.  They engage partners and donors to build unique and affordable urban villages in major cities across Canada where homeless veterans will be able to successfully integrate back into civilian life.  In these villages they provide the resources, services and training needed to achieve the goal of living independently in the long term. We know that far too many veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces are struggling in their effort to leave the Forces and return to civilian life – and many will find themselves on a long and difficult pathway to homelessness or living rough. 1 in 4 veterans experience difficulty in the transition to civilian life. Veterans are twice as likely to end up homeless as other citizens. Homes for Heroes restore dignity and self respect. 
 
There is a village of tiny homes in Calgary and another started in Edmonton. More are planned in Kingston, Winnipeg, Ottawa, London, Vancouver and Victoria.  Each village is in a residential neighbourhood and consists of 15-25 homes in a parklike setting.  The homes are less than 300 square feet and are highly efficient, private and safe. The homes all face inwards to promote a feeling of community.  Transition services are available with on-site counsellors and Veteran Affairs.   The residents live there for 1-3 years and then re-enter society , stable and employed.  Their rent is $300-400 per month and each village is self sustaining. 
 
In Victoria the first step would be to find a suitable site.  The site needs to have good bus service and it should be in a residential area, not in the downtown core.