Who We Are

The Independent Living Housing Society of Greater Victoria was established in 1976 by a group of people who lived at the Gorge Road Hospital in its Extended Care Unit. They shared the desire to live a more independent lifestyle free of institutional constraints, and met to discuss new and innovative options. Four of those people decided they were compatible and could live together, and were willing to be responsible for paying the rent, looking after the house, and hiring and firing Residential Care Workers. The first home was a renovated and modified home in the Swan Lake area which opened on May 25, 1976.

The Independent Living Housing Society now supports individuals in six supported living environments. This includes apartments, shared living, group homes and a respite home.