VICTORIA - More than 2,400 new affordable rental homes are coming for people with moderate and low incomes in 41 communities throughout the province.

"These new homes mean that thousands of families, seniors and Indigenous peoples in our province will enjoy safe, new, affordable homes," said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. "These homes are part of the nearly 30,000 affordable homes now complete or underway in every corner of the province, building on the significant momentum as we recover from more than a decade of underinvestment in housing by the old government. We're making good progress in addressing the housing crisis for all British Columbians, and there's more to do."

A total of 49 new projects have been selected through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund (CHF). The fund will provide approximately 2,474 rental homes for individuals, families, seniors, people with disabilities and Indigenous peoples throughout the province.

"Every one of the affordable homes announced today are desperately needed and will change the life course for thousands of individuals and families in the decades ahead," said Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association. "The community housing sector looks forward to working with municipal partners to ensure these new homes are built as quickly as possible."

The CHF supports mixed-income buildings. These projects have:

• 50% of the units for households with annual incomes up to $64,000;
• 30% of the units for households with incomes up to approximately $74,000; and
• 20% of the units for households with very low incomes (including those on income or disability assistance).

More than 1,000 of the new homes will be for Indigenous individuals, families and Elders.

"The Aboriginal Management Housing Association (AMHA) is thrilled to see that out of the 49 projects approved for the CHF, 21 are Indigenous-led projects," said Margaret Pfoh, CEO, AMHA. "Each of the successful housing developments will enhance and foster a broader sense of community for all future tenants. Indigenous housing issues require Indigenous solutions, and we congratulate each society for leading the change we need to see in our province. In order to move forward in reconciliation, it is crucial British Columbia continues to prioritize the unique housing barriers faced by Indigenous peoples."

The CHF is part of the Province's 10-year, $7-billion housing plan. It is an investment of $1.9 billion to build more than 14,000 affordable rental homes for moderate- and low-income families and individuals over 10 years. Three and a half years in, more than 8,600 of these homes are already open, under construction or in development.

A community breakdown of the new projects is included in the backgrounder below.

Quick Facts:

• These new projects are being funded through the second intake for the CHF.
• Twenty-three projects, consisting of approximately 1,170 homes, were announced in 2020. This brings the total number of homes announced during this intake to more than 3,600.

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing
Media Relations
778 678-1572

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

*Please note that the projects in Granisle and Slocan were added following the original distribution of this news release.

BACKGROUNDER

Community breakdown of new projects

Indigenous-led projects

Total: 21 projects / 1,029 homes

North: five projects / 143 homes

• Gitanyow Nation, First Ave.: 15 homes for Elders, in partnership with Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs
• Nak'azdli Whut'en Nation, Lot 357-362 Nak'azdli 1R1: 32 homes for Indigenous families, Elders, youth and people with disabilities, in partnership with Yoh Howunlene Society
• Prince George, 1919 17th Ave.: 57 homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Society
• Prince Rupert, 1430-1494 Kootenay Ave.: 16 homes for Indigenous individuals, families and Elders, in partnership with Prince Rupert Indigenous Housing Society
• Smithers, Main St. and 10th Ave.: 23 homes for Indigenous families and Elders, in partnership with Dze L K'ant Housing Society

Vancouver Island: two projects / 75 homes

• Courtenay, 1679 McPhee Ave.: 40 homes for Indigenous peoples, in partnership with Wachiay Friendship Centre Society
• Port Alberni, 4210 Cedarwood St.: 35 homes for Indigenous peoples, in partnership with Citaapi Mahtii Housing Society

Interior: seven projects / 232 homes

• ?aq'am First Nation, Lot 31, Kootenay I.R. #1: 20 homes for Indigenous families and Elders, in partnership with ?aq'am First Nation
• Kamloops (address to be announced at a later date): 32 homes for families, in partnership with Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services
• Kamloops Indian Band, Kamloopa Way & Chilcotin Rd.: 58 homes for Indigenous families and Elders, in partnership with Tk'emlúps te Secwe pemc
• Kelowna, Kneller Rd.: 45 homes for individuals, couples, families and students, in partnership with Okanagan Métis and Aboriginal Housing Society
• Osoyoos Indian Band, Lot 2 at 45th St.: 43 homes for Indigenous individuals, families and Elders, in partnership with Wolf Creek Society
• Penticton, 603 Main St.: 28 homes for families, in partnership with M'Akola Housing Society
• Xaxli'p First Nation, IR 6 Fountain Lake Rd.: six homes for Indigenous families, in partnership with Xaxli'p First Nation

Lower Mainland/Sunshine Coast: seven projects / 579 homes

• Burnaby, 6488 Byrnepark Dr.: 129 homes for families, in partnership with M'akola Housing Society
• Chilliwack, 45835 Spadina Ave.: 74 homes for families, seniors and people with mobility challenges, in partnership with Mamele'awt Qweesome Housing Society
• Mission, IR2: 61 homes for Indigenous families and Elders, in partnership with Kwantlen First Nation
• New Westminster, 823-842 Sixth St.: 96 homes for Indigenous and Swahili families and seniors, in partnership with Aboriginal Land Trust Society and Swahili Vision International Association
• North Vancouver, Lot 100: 50 homes for Indigenous families and Elders, in partnership with Tsleil-Waututh First Nation
• Surrey, 7561 140 St.: 104 homes for Indigenous individuals, families and Elders, in partnership with Kekinow Native Housing Society
• Vancouver, 320 E Hastings St.: 65 homes for Indigenous peoples, in partnership with First United Church Community Ministry Society

Non-Indigenous projects

Total: 28 projects / 1,445 homes

North: six projects / 162 homes

• Fort St. James, 305 Pineridge Rd.: 28 homes for seniors and Elders, in partnership with Connexus Community Resources
• Granisle, 4 McDonald Ave: 10 units for seniors in partnership with Granisle & District Senior Citizen's Association
• Hazelton, 2720 Hwy 62: 31 homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Wrinch Memorial Foundation Society
• Terrace, 2801 Kenney St.: 34 homes for individuals and families, in partnership with Ksan House Society
• Terrace, 200-3219 Eby St.: 43 homes for seniors, in partnership with Terrace and District Community Services Society
• Valemount, Valemount Cares: 16 homes for seniors, in partnership with Valemount Senior Citizen's Housing Society

Vancouver Island: four projects / 279 homes

• Comox, 1582 Balmoral Ave.: 52 homes for seniors, in partnership with Comox Valley Affordable Housing Society
• Duncan, 280 First St.: 134 homes for seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Duncan Housing Society
• Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Way: 56 homes for individuals, families and people with disabilities, in partnership with Qualicum Parksville Kiwanis Housing Society
• Tofino, 351 Arnet Rd.: 37 homes for individuals, families, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Catalyst Community Developments Society

Interior: 12 projects / 449 homes

• Barriere, Barriere Town Rd.: 24 homes for families, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and seniors, in partnership with Yellowhead Community Services Society
• Fruitvale, 1800 Columbia Gardens Rd.: 28 homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society
• Kamloops (address to be announced at a later date): 80 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with ASK Wellness Society
• Kaslo, 447 A Ave.: 10 homes for individuals, families, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Kaslo Housing Society
• Kelowna, Kingsway/Cambridge: 75 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Society of Hope
• Lumby, 2211 Shield Ave.: 20 homes for seniors, in partnership with Lumby and District Senior Citizens Housing Society
• New Denver, 602 Slocan Ave.: 10 homes for individuals, families and seniors, in partnership with New Denver and Area Housing Society
• Peachland, 4426-4450 5th Ave.: 68 homes for seniors, in partnership with Peachland Seniors' Support Society
• Slocan, Slocan Street & Giffin Ave.: 8 homes for families, seniors and individuals, in partnership with the Village of Slocan.
• Sparwood, 400 Evergreen Cres.: 30 homes for individuals, families and seniors, in partnership with Elk Valley Family Society
• Summerland, 8709 Jubilee Rd. East: 60 homes for individuals, families and seniors, in partnership with Turning Point Collaborative Society
• Williams Lake, 564 Oliver St.: 36 homes for seniors, in partnership with Caribou Park Home Society

Lower Mainland/Sunshine Coast: six projects / 555 homes

• Gibsons, 824 and 840 Kiwanis Way: 75 homes for seniors, in partnership with Kiwanis Club of Sunshine Coast
• North Vancouver, 600 W Queens Rd.: 86 homes for families, youth, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Hollyburn Family Services Society
• Pemberton, Lot 2 Harrow Rd.: 62 homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Sea To Sky Community Services
• Vancouver, 3279-3297 Vanness Ave.: 102 homes for seniors, Elders and families, in partnership with Community Land Trust Group of Societies
• Vancouver, 1656 Adanac St.: 95 homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities, in partnership with Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society
• Vancouver, 546 W 13th Ave.: 135 homes for women, in partnership with Soroptimist International of Vancouver

Total: 49 projects / 2,474 homes