Long known as a Traveller’s Inn, and more recently as a supportive housing site run by the Victoria Cool Aid Society, Queens Manor in Victoria is slated for demolition this month.
The building at 710 Queens Ave. was a supportive housing building owned by the province and operated by Cool Aid Society.
Queens Manor was a 36-unit dedicated-site supportive housing building bought from the City of Victoria in July 2010. The Victoria Cool Aid Society offered an array of services for its residents who often experienced multiple complex issues, such as mental illness and substance use, impacting their ability to maintain housing.
Residents were relocated to other sites, including The Lily, which opened in June 2024. It provides 56 supportive homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The Queens Avenue building had plumbing issues and was nearing the end of its lifespan, according to BC Housing. As a result, residents were relocated, with the building empty by July 2024.
Demolition is expected to finish by August.
“People experiencing or at risk of homelessness deserve a home where they have access to supports to help them live full, healthy lives, and our government is committed to connecting people to these homes, including through the use of existing buildings where appropriate,” Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said in a statement.
“We are currently working with community partners to find the best potential long-term options for the site as part of our work to support people who need it most.”
