Manchester House

House History

Manchester House opened in 1984. The House provides a transition home for people returning to our community from institutions. Commonly called a CRF (Community Residential Facility) the House is owned and operated by the John Howard Society of Victoria. Founded in 1935 we provide a structured environment and moral support to afford residents an opportunity to become contributing members of society.

The house itself is a large renovated home, centrally located in Victoria. It is near shopping facilities, and main bus routes, with good connections to Camosun College, the University of Victoria, and employment centers. The House accommodates up to fifteen residents. There are nine single rooms and three doubles. Twelve beds are contracted to the Correctional Service of Canada for parolees. A three-bed program also operates out of the House for individuals who have come in conflict with the law and have experienced psychiatric problems, but are stabilized and ready to return to the community. Residents are required to keep their own rooms clean and tidy, to clean kitchens and bathrooms after use, and to assist in the general maintenance of the House. Residents are responsible for providing their own meals. There are two fully equipped kitchens in the House for resident use. A living allowance is paid to unemployed residents and those who are attending school as a part of their case plan. Laundry facilities are also available at the House.

The Program

The overall program at Manchester House is designed to reflect the philosophies of accountability and aspiring to independent living. The realities of the day-to-day living at the House and in the community become the core of the program. Those realities include:

cooking meals for oneself,
budgeting your money,
dealing with addictions,
searching for work,
going to work or school,
cleaning up after oneself,
making appointments,
sorting out relationships,
communal housekeeping chores,
art therapy,
living!

Most people who come to Manchester are trying to make changes, so as to make a better adjustment to living back in the community. Anyone involved in trying to make changes experiences ups and downs. Each resident has a counsellor assigned for one-to-one counselling, however, any of the staff are available to all residents. The staff at the House are there to provide moral support, to listen and to assist people in any way we can to help people make the changes they desire. On the other hand, we also believe very strongly in holding people accountable to the conditions of their release, and the goals they have set for themselves. Manchester House is a place to work at what you hope to accomplish; it is not a place to “do your time”.

Structured programs and meeting in the house include:

Narcotics Anonymous meetings
Nonviolent communication
Monthly residents house meeting
Nutrition Program

Staffing a CRF (Community Residential Facility)

The staff are from varied backgrounds and have a good understanding of many of the problems that are faced in starting a new life on the street. We try to provide an atmosphere that is relaxed and supportive. The House has at least one staff person on duty twenty-four hours a day. Besides the House Director, there is one full-time program coordinator, two full-time counsellors, one administrative assistant, one full-time night supervisor, one weekend night supervisor, one part-time outreach worker and relief staff.

Applying for Residency

If you are at William Head Institution a Manchester House representative interviews at the Institution on a weekly basis. An inmate can book an appointment on the interview form posted beside the boardroom in E Unit or see the representative on Wednesdays, between 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM.

If you are at another Federal Institution you should send your application to Kathy Roy, the Director of Manchester House, to introduce yourself, provide some background information, and outline what your release plans would be if you were able to come to the house. At the same time you should ask your Institutional Parole Officer (IPO) to request a Community Assessment to be completed by the Victoria Parole Office to “screen” you for the House.

Important Downloads

Please take the time to review the house manual then download and complete our application form. Once completed you may mail, fax or email it to Kathy Roy, Director of Manchester House using the information below.

Download Application Form - Provincial.doc

Download Application Form - Federal.doc

Download Application Form - Forensic.doc

Download Resident_Manual.doc

Manchester House Contact Infomation

540 Manchester Road
Victoria, B.C. V8T 2N8
Telephone: (250) 384-1340
Fax: (250) 920-3824
Email: k.roy@manchesterhouse.ca