02 May - The Dalmatian Is Now Open!

The past week has given us several opportunities to celebrate and recognize the official opening of The Dalmatian.

The Dalmatian is the first of its kind in Victoria. Located above the new Victoria Fire Hall No.1, it consists of 130 affordable homes and is a combination of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The development is the result of a partnership between the City of Victoria, the Province, Dalmatian Developments (Jawl Residential Developments) and Pacifica Housing. This non-smoking building also houses the city’s very first emergency centre, designed to withstand a massive earthquake. It will meet the B.C. Building Code standards for buildings designed to remain operable following a disaster.

On May^1st, we welcomed government officials and media - including Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon - to announce this unique addition to affordable housing in Victoria. The minister also touched on the Province’s commitment to increasing the availability of affordable housing, and matching the needs of individuals in our communities. “We are taking action to build affordable rental housing in Victoria and across British Columbia” said Mr. Kahlon. “The opening of The Dalmatian shows we are delivering homes people need, with much more to come.”

Also included to speak at yesterday’s event was the Marianne Alto, Mayor of Victoria, Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, David Jawl, Development Manager from Dalmatian Developments and Carolina Ibarra, Pacifica Housing CEO. All echoed a message of the important and desperate need for more affordable housing, as well as acknowledged the value of partnerships in finding creative solutions to the housing crisis.

"The Dalmatian is a beautiful and affordable family-friendly rental building. It is a testament to how affordable housing can enhance a community and to the creative solutions that partnerships can deliver." – Carolina Ibarra, CEO Pacifica Housing

This final media event for the Dalmatian came after last week’s open houses, introducing Pacifica staff and members of the community to the recently completed building. The staff event also provided residents with the chance to join in the festivities in recognition of their new home. Both open houses were held on Thursday, April 27th, beginning with staff and residents in the afternoon, followed by an evening event attended by community stakeholders from the Capital Region. Guests had the chance to tour the building as well as enjoy refreshments in The Dalmatian’s fifth floor common room, while taking in some fantastic views of Downtown Victoria.

We would like to acknowledge the Province, through BC Housing, for providing Pacifica Housing with $19 million from the Building BC: Community Housing Fund for this project; BC Housing will also be contributing annual operating funding of $1.6 million.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the celebrations of The Dalmatian. We are thrilled with all the positive feedback we have received, and for the opportunity to provide more affordable housing in Downtown Victoria.

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