Re-envisioning Ninety-Seven Victoria
Thoughtful, integrated, supportive housing and community resources in Downtown Kitchener, coming 2024.
Building Home
at 97 Victoria
Joe and Stephanie Mancini, the co-founders and co-directors of The Working Centre, share their thoughts on this project and its inception.
Our Proposal
With a growing encampment across the street from our 97 Victoria Street campus, we are excited to announce the addition of 44 units of housing for people who are unsheltered. We are planning a one-year rebuild that repurposes our current building into 44 units of supported living, and a new home for St. John’s Kitchen in the next door parking lot. We invite you to join us in this practical response to homelessness, that creates a beautiful, dynamic space with integrated supports - Making Home at 97 Victoria.
44 Units of Supportive Housing
By repurposing our already-owned-property at 97 Victoria, we will create 44 units of community housing designed to assist those most challenged by the realities of homelessness. Residents will have their own small living spaces, while common spaces and dining areas will complement the small units to invite connectedness and engagement.
A New Community Kitchen
For 37 years, people have come to St. John’s Kitchen in downtown Kitchener to be with others, to make new friends, and to access resources. Every day, 250 people share the hot meals offered during the day, while a further 200 take their meals to go.
While at St. John’s Kitchen, people have access to showers, laundry, harm reduction supplies, and a variety of services that support people with complex needs. Our new vision builds on existing supports in an expanded and accessible ground floor space with a common courtyard.
An Integrated Campus
Making Home at NinetySeven Victoria builds on our campus with:
44 units of supported living,
St. John’s Kitchen/Campus Community Centre,
Hospitality House,
A Community Dental Clinic,
A medical clinic and harm reduction supports.
By embedding housing in this practical village of supports, we build on the collective power of community, practical services, and a sense of belonging.
Learn more or donate now.
Our Team
The Working Centre
Established in 1982, the team at the Working Centre forms a deep web of committed and compassionate people, focused on building inclusion and respect. When we find a place to belong, we bring our best selves into our work and into the building of community. Our philosophy of "walking with" means that we build solutions together - connecting people, resources, and places - forming a web of services, supports and places - building community together. The Working Centre currently provides housing and shelter for 280 people, with a goal of adding 60 units by the end of 2023.
Perimeter Development
Since 2010, Perimeter has been taking on projects that aim to create impact in our Community. From transforming aging factory spaces into something truly special, creating main street storefronts for passionate entrepreneurs to re-imaging what industrial space could look like in Waterloo Region, Perimeter seeks to work with creative people and firms to leave a place better than they found it.
BNKC
For 50+ years, BNKC has played a pivotal role in architecture and urban design; developing strategies and design solutions that support sustainable and memorable places to live, learn, and grow.
We focus on a broad range of public and private projects and purposefully apply ourselves to a diversity of typologies, sectors, and scales. We’ve discovered blurring boundaries is the best way to unearth hidden opportunities and creative solutions.
We believe good design is fundamental to social, economic, and environmental well-being and we’ve made it our mission to take on complex projects and help our clients raise the bar – every time.
Govan Brown
At Govan Brown, we are invested in creating environments where people are able to thrive – whether through our teams, the projects we build or the communities to which we belong. Our story began with the hope of making meaningful changes to an industry that was historically resistant to change – and we continue to work towards building a tomorrow that is filled with promise and opportunity for all.
