LANGLEY - Families, seniors and individuals in the Township of Langley now have access to 98 new affordable rental homes with the opening of Jennie Gaglardi Place.

"These 98 homes will provide affordable, stable places to live for people in Langley, improving their quality of life and helping strengthen community connections," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. "We know there is an urgent need for more homes like these and we're taking action - getting shovels into the ground and people into homes more quickly than ever."

Jennie Gaglardi Place at 21201 56 Ave. is a five-storey, wood-framed building with a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for households with low and moderate incomes. Additional features include a ground-floor amenity room, kitchen, washroom, storage room and laundry room, as well as exterior dining, seating and play areas. The building has underground and surface parking stalls.

"In the midst of a housing crisis, homes like these will help ensure people can remain in the communities they know and love," said Megan Dykeman, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits and MLA for Langley East. "I'm grateful to have such a vital partner in the Township of Langley and the CLA Housing Society, as we develop solutions together to make Langley a more affordable place for all."

The building is owned and operated by the Christian Life Assembly (CLA) Housing Society. Monthly rents range from $500 for a studio unit to $2,450 for a three-bedroom home. In April 2024, the first tenants are expected to move in. 

"Jennie Gaglardi Place will meet the diverse needs of a range of tenants, including individuals, seniors and young families," said Andrew Mercier, MLA for Langley. "We're delivering homes that people can age in, grow in and stay in. Thousands more are coming through our Homes for People action plan."

The building name was unveiled in 2022, during a service and celebration held with Gaglardi's family and the community, to commemorate her founding of the Christian Life Assembly Church in the Township of Langley more than 85 years ago. Gaglardi passed away in 1995.

This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has approximately 78,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including more than 1,000 homes in Langley.

Quotes:

Eric Woodward, mayor, Township of Langley -

"The Township of Langley is committed to providing housing solutions that meet the needs of our growing community. We are always happy to partner with the Province and other organizations to help deliver affordable housing options, and look forward to more opportunities to deliver for Langley residents."

Peter Fassbender, president, CLA Housing Society -

“This project is a testament to the partnership between the Province of British Columbia, the Township of Langley and the not-for-profit CLA Housing Society. Through the 60-year agreement with BC Housing, CLA Housing Society is pleased to be a partner in providing much-needed quality, affordable housing in our community.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province contributed $10.7 million to the project through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund and will provide an ongoing annual operating subsidy of approximately $772,000. 
• The CLA Housing Society contributed the land, valued at approximately $6.4 million. 
• The Township of Langley waived approximately $3 million in fees. 
• The federal government, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, provided $150,000 in seed funding. 

Learn More:

For more information on the new homes, visit: www.clahousingsociety.ca

To learn more about government's new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436

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