More shelter beds for people in Victoria street camp cited by police for 'hostility'

Dozens of new shelter beds are opening for people living on the streets in Victoria, including at an encampment where police escorts have been required for emergency responders.

A statement from the Housing Ministry says that up to 72 new beds will be made available for people living on Pandora Avenue and elsewhere.

It says BC Housing is funding up to 40 new spaces at shelters run by Our Place Society as well as 32 at a shelter operated by The Salvation Army.

Victoria Police last month announced that firefighters and paramedics would only attend the 900 block of Pandora Avenue with a police escort.

The move came after a paramedic was attacked and police were swarmed by a crowd, part of what police called an increase in "violence and hostility."

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says it's "critical" that people experiencing homelessness have indoor shelter in order to get out of encampments.

"We are determined to provide a path out of homelessness and add even more housing throughout Victoria," he says in a statement.

The ministry says the spaces at Our Place Society shelters are for people 19 and older, while the Salvation Army spaces are for menseeking a recovery program.

Marianne Alto, mayor of Victoria, says in the provincial statement that she was "gratified" to see the new shelter spaces being made available.