97 Victoria
Making Home at 97 Victoria
97 Victoria has been a gathering place for those who are experiencing homelessness, are at risk of homelessness. The Working Centre has operated projects and supports on site since 2006.
In recent years, a rise in homelessness, drug use and lack of co-ordinated supports required a new approach to meet the needs of a community in crisis. The Working Centre’s aim was to re-envision the 97 Victoria St. North site to focus on the combination of housing, health and community by supporting those most left out of services, and connecting people with mental health and addiction supports.
St. John's Kitchen
St. John’s Kitchen has been a hub of services for over 40 years. The newly built communal space will offer services and supports for up to 500 people a day, including a daily meal, hampers, showers, laundry, washrooms and access to a wide range of community supports.
Medical Clinic
An important part of the renovation project was building an expanded primary care clinic for timely access to health care. A 3,500 sq. ft. clinic space has the potential to develop many volunteer and health resources. The clinic will also form a base for our SOS and Street Outreach mobile outreach teams.
44 Units of Housing
Guided by a Housing First approach, units are designed to provide housing stability, supporting those experiencing homelessness to work through the realities of dislocation, addiction, and complex health issues.
The project builds on The Working Centre’s 40+ years experience in supporting people experiencing homelessness, dislocation, and poverty, and is embedded in a wide web of services and resources.
Centrally Located in Kitchener-Waterloo
The 97 Victoria site near the intersection of Victoria St. North and Weber St. West is located on the outer edge of Downtown Kitchener. This central location along multiple transit routes helps patrons and visitors access supports.
The Working Centre operates several projects at Victoria St. North locations. Explore our virtual tour to learn more.
Re-envisioning 97 Victoria
A factory building originally built in the 1920’s, 97 Victoria had several owners and occupants over decades. In 2005, The Working Centre purchased and renovated the building along with the adjacent 87 and 91 Victoria properties. In 2020, planning for the Making Home Project involved significant alterations to the building and the site.
Convert ground floor to new medical clinic
Convert St. John's Kitchen space on second floor to 22 units of housing
Construct third floor on existing building to add 22 more units of housing
Construct new modern building for St. John's Kitchen
Build central courtyard that connects all spaces on site
Make renovations and upgrades to Hospitality House at 87 Victoria
Project Timeline
In October 2019, The Making Home Project began with a tour and inventory of Working Centre properties with David Gibson of Perimeter Development and Joe Bogdan of BNKC Architects. David and Joe drew out the plans to re-envision the site. Over the next six years the project would bring together teams of designers, engineers, construction crews, fundraisers, donors and community partners until being completed in September 2025.
January 2020
The first sketches are drawn to re-envision 97 Victoria
March 2020
Start of a formal agreement as BNKC teams up with Perimeter Development to support the architectural designs for the project
June 2021
Application submitted to Canada Infrastructure for Green and Inclusive Community Buildings to support the construction of the new St. John’s Kitchen
January 2022
Application to Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding capital equipment for new St. John’s Kitchen
June 2022
Making Home Project is announced; Perimeter Development commits a $1 million contribution to Making Home
September 2022
Lyle S Hallman Foundation commits $2 million to Making Home
October 2022
The design team is in place including GSP Group Inc., RDH Building Science Inc., LHC Inc. (Heritage consultant), MTE Consultants Inc., Lonergan Engineering (electrical), ZON Engineering Inc, DEI Engineering, Govan Brown Project Contractor, Sorbara Law
November 2022
RHI-3 funding round announced focused on affordable housing for those with greatest needs. RHI-3 is later confirmed by Waterloo Region Council approving a $9.8 million contribution to the housing at 97 Victoria.
June 2023
Jamie Critch, President of Auburn Development, and Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation each commit $1 million towards Making Home
August 2023
Official groundbreaking ceremony for the Making Home Project
September 2023
St. John’s Kitchen closes at 97 Victoria and reopens at St. John’s Anglican Church where SJK started 40 years earlier, and Worth A Second Look thrift store relocates from 97 Victoria to 37 Market Lane
November 2023
Redesign issues allow for $1.5 million dollars in savings as tenders go out for project construction
February 2024
Site Plan approval from City of Kitchener; Partial permit for demolition and foundation issues
May 2024
Full Building Permit issued as steel beams are lifted on to the roof to create the new third story
July 2024
Construction workers pour and finish the main concrete floor comprising 7500 sq. ft.
August 2024
Workers begin building the third floor addition that will include 22 units of housing.
September 2024
The third floor structure is built and excavation proceeds for the foundation of the new St. John's Kitchen building
December 2024
Mass timber structure for the new SJK is constructed in one week
April 2025
Bishop Douglas Crosby of the Hamilton Roman Catholic Diocese commits $1.5 million to Making Home
June 2025
Construction moves into final phases as major work is completed; Final finishing jobs such as tiling, installing mill work, electrical, plumbing and HVAC fixtures
September 2025
Open house events mark the official opening of the new St. John’s Kitchen, medical clinic, housing units and on site supports
Sustainability & Adaptive Re-Use
It was important to achieve several design goals in creating a sustainable building within an adaptive re-use project. This included minimizing the use of fossil fuels for a very high density and compact occupancy.
Adaptive and sensitive reuse of the warehouse building maintains the industrial aesthetic of the neighbourhood. In recreating the site, we followed conservation practices to ensure the heritage of the building was respected
Designed for Community
A primary design goal was to promote a sense of wellbeing and community. Through meticulous attention to detail and a thoughtful approach to finish selection, our architects have not only created a space that fulfills its intended function to a high standard but also succeeded in imbuing it with a warm and welcoming ambiance that truly feels like home.
St. John's Kitchen
Large and open communal space for serving the daily meal and hosting community events
Medical Clinic
3,500 sq. ft. primary care clinic with exam rooms
Washrooms & Showers
Public access to washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities
Community Courtyard
Food Window
Patrons can pick up packaged meals, food boxes and other items
Housing Entry
Primary access to the housing units on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Staff Area
St. John's Kitchen
Medical Clinic
Washrooms & Showers
Courtyard
Food Window
Housing Entry
Staff Area
Integrated Supports
The Working Centre hosts a web of population-focused care for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Focusing on supports that are highly responsive, relationship-based and adaptive, we respond to the whole person. 97 Victoria is a community focused hub of an integrated network of supports.
Specialized Outreach Services (SOS)
SOS is a mobile multidisciplinary team that supports around 1,000 individuals per year who are experiencing homelessness or are precariously housed in the community and experiencing medical, mental health or substance use concerns. SOS is designed to provide low barrier clinical care to individuals who may have difficultly accessing other traditional supports.
Justice Outreach Services
Integrated with SOS and supports people experiencing homelessness as they navigate the justice system, providing voluntary court support, system connections for bail and release planning, coordination with probation services, and outreach that supports overall stability to prevent recidivism.
Street Outreach
Outreach teams that support over 800 people with basic needs, system navigation, supports for housing prioritization, income tax, ID, and access to healthcare; visiting encampments, motels, street, shelters, drop-ins, community kitchens. We work strategically to know the people who are experiencing homelessness or precarious housing, building relationship, connecting people to services.
Community Dental
Operates with the help of volunteer dental professionals and works to build a respectful and non-judgemental environment. The clinic provides free patient-directed care and access to a full range of preventive, diagnostic, and restorative services for those who are typically only able to receive emergency dental care.
The custom-built and designed housing model has worked with the ingenuity and resources of our partners, building an integrated model of common spaces that will help generate roots and connectedness.
Private Bedrooms
44 bedrooms are located on two housing floors
Accessible Design
Multiple rooms on each floor are designed for those with accessibility needs
Washrooms & Showers
Residents share 3-piece washrooms
Communal Spaces
Multi-purpose rooms that promote connection and community
24/7 Staff Support
Staff are on-site to manage daily operations and assist residents
Servery
A small community kitchen for residents to access meals, snacks and drinks
Laundry
Laundry facilities are available on each floor
Over two years, the Making Home Campaign raised $22 million in an amazing mix of $12 million in government grants and $10 million in community donations from over 300 different contributions
Community Support for Making Home
The Making Home Project could not have been a success without the generous support of many donors, contributors and community partners.
David Gibson from Perimeter Development and BNKC architect Joe Bogdan. Perimeter Development stood as a key corporate partner in this endeavor, shepherding the design and construction, and was the key first donor ($1 million), inviting other donors to contribute.
Waterloo Regional Council’s decision to support this project with $9.8million through the Rapid Housing Initiative.
Bishop Douglas Crosby and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton committed $1.5 million commitment to the project.
Other major donors included the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation ($2 million); Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation ($1 million); Auburn Developments ($1 million)
$12 Million in Government Grants
Rapid Housing Initiative 3 – Government of Canada & Region of Waterloo
Green and Inclusive Community Building – Government of Canada
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund
Enabling Accessibility Fund – Government of Canada
$10 Million in Community Donations
Lyle S. Hallman Foundation
Diocese of Hamilton
Perimeter Development
The Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation
Auburn Developments
Cowan
Fairmount Foundation
Definity Insurance Foundation
Mike & Kelly Peasgood
Strassburger Windows and Doors
Vive Development & Woodhouse Group
Bob & Judy Astley
BNKC Architects
Janzen Foundation
Krug Furniture
Midtown Counselling & Midtown Rehab
MTE
Wells Resolutions
Anne & Grant Roberts
Audi – Crosby Volkswagen
Joseph Balan & Associates at Co-operators
Doon Presbyterian Church
Paul & Janet Dullaert
Randall Howard & Judy McMullen
Libro Credit Union
Marlene Epp & Paul Born
Debbie Lowes
Margaret Motz
Ontario Realtors Care Foundation
Unifor Social Justice Fund
Peter Woolstencroft
255 donors who together contributed $100,000
Contributing Project Partners
BNKC Architects
Delta Elevator
Govan Brown
MTE
Perimeter Development
Strassburger Windows and Doors
Support community building work at 97 Victoria
Learn More
- Community Links
A Welcoming Space The Working Centre Opens New Facility in Kitchener
CBC Kitchener-Waterloo article that includes a video tour of 97 Victoria and interview with Working Centre Director Joe Mancini
