07
February
2020
|
15:26 PM
America/Los_Angeles

Affordable homes for seniors protected in Surrey, Kelowna, Nanaimo

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Resource Society has partnered with the Province, through BC Housing, to purchase four senior housing facilities in Surrey, Kelowna and Nanaimo, preserving a total of 475 residential suites at affordable rental rates.

“Seniors should be able to find a home in their community, close to their friends, families and the services they count on,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We are proud to be partnering with Vancouver Resource Society to provide good, safe and affordable homes for hundreds of seniors.”

The Province provided financing of approximately $147.5 million to the non-profit to purchase the four projects. This means these homes will not be sold into the private market, which would have put seniors at risk of losing their homes to redevelopment or having to pay market-level rents.

“It is very important that we help seniors maintain healthy independence as long as possible,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “We know many seniors in British Columbia may have housing affordability challenges. This seniors’ housing announcement will help more seniors, on fixed incomes, continue to live independently with dignity.”

Through the HousingHub, the Building BC funds and other provincial investments, more than 22,000 new homes are complete, under construction or in development for people with a range of incomes throughout the province.

"We are very excited to be working with BC Housing to deliver affordable housing for seniors in the communities of Surrey, Kelowna and Nanaimo," said Ken Fraser, executive director, Vancouver Resource Society. "We will also be working towards offering on-site services to ensure seniors can live in their homes as long as possible and never have to move again."

Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quick Facts:

Four properties have been purchased in three communities:

  • Surrey
    • Pacific Carlton, at 15366 17th Ave, is an independent living retirement residence with 81 units.
    • Sunnyside Manor, at 15340 17th Ave, is an independent and assisted living retirement residence with 85 units.
  • Kelowna
    • Fernbrae Manor, at 295 Gerstmar Rd, is an independent living retirement residence with 186 units.
  • Nanaimo
    • Lakeside Gardens, at 4088 Wellesley Ave, is an independent and assisted living retirement residence with 123 units.

Learn More:

HousingHub: https://www.bchousing.org/housinghub

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 Municipal Affairs and Housing Media Relations
778 584-1255

Laura Mathews
BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership with non-profits, municipalities, First Nations, Indigenous housing organizations and the private sector to build 114,000 affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians by 2028.

Budget 2018 included a $7-billion investment in the homes people need. As a result of that investment, more than 23,000 new homes are completed, under construction or in the approvals process for a range of people who are struggling to find a place to live, from people who are experiencing homelessness and seniors on fixed incomes, to middle-income families, students and individuals. As of Dec. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for people with middle incomes

The average annual household income qualifying for homes underway is under $99,000 per year:

  • HousingHub: 2,802 homes

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes

This includes people residing in social housing (household incomes less than $65,000) as well as those living in affordable market rentals (households with annual incomes up to $74,000) – 9,837 homes:

Affordable market:

  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund (30% of units in each project): 1,565 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes
  • Affordable Rental Housing Program: 1,615 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
  • Deepening Affordability Fund: 1,976 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
  • Regional Housing First Program: 907 homes for people with low to moderate incomes

Social housing or subsidized rents:

  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund (50% of units in each project): 2,609 rental homes for people with low incomes
  • Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: 1,165 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off- reserve

Housing for people with very low incomes

Rental housing for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, or for people with very low incomes (includes supportive housing and shelter-rate housing) – 4,795 homes:

  • Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,012 homes with 24/7 support
  • Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: 1,060 homes with 24/7 support
  • Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: 679 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence
  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund (20% of units in each project): 1,044 homes

Housing for students – 5,584 homes:

  • BC Student Housing Loan Program: 2,699 on-campus student housing units are under construction, in development or in the approvals process
  • 2,885 student housing units are also completed, under construction or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions

Total: 23,018 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org