Cool Aid in Victoria and surrounding areas in British Columbia provide emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, housing for seniors, primary health and dental care, nutritious meals, and other wellness programs to the capital region’s most vulnerable people.  Cool Aid offers affordable near-market rental units, subsidized rental buildings, a recovery house, supportive housing and emergency homeless shelters. 

The Affordable near-market rental units are designed for moderate income earners and their families who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing, but who still need purpose-built rental housing that is affordable to them. The Crosstown features 100 rental apartments, including 30 affordable market units ranging from studios, one, two, and three-bedroom suites, including accessible options. There are also 17 subsidized studio units at The Chestnut including accessible options. The 3rd floor of Mount Edwards offers 15 total studio and one-bedroom subsidized apartments for seniors over the age of 55.  

In subsidized rental buildings, a subsidy often covers the difference between what residents can afford and the cost of operating the building. Rent is determined based on income: tenants receiving income assistance may pay a flat rate, while those not on income assistance may pay 30% of their gross monthly household income. 

Crosstown features 100 rental apartments, including 30 subsidized units. The 51 units of affordable market housing at 210 Gorge Road East include studio, one, and two-bedroom suites, plus accessible options. 

The Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre has also just opened within the Crosstown housing complex. Until now, more than 6000 patients were receiving care from their clinic or from a mobile van once a week.  

Opened in the spring of 2026, Cool Aid’s first Recovery House provides 20 units of substance free, supportive transitional housing for individuals who have completed early-stage recovery and are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Their goal is to support continued recovery, promote independent living skills, and prepare residents for long-term stable housing. 

Cool Aid has 13 supportive housing sites and 131 units added in the last year. The housing sites offer nutritious meals, mental and physical health care, substance-free recovery units, and life skills. This support is a vital part of helping people rebuild their lives in a safe, caring environment. Cool Aid also operates emergency homeless shelters which are an entry point and a place to stabilize for those leaving homelessness and seeking long-term, supportive, or affordable market housing.