08
July
2021
|
15:44 PM
America/Los_Angeles

Construction underway on affordable homes in Burnaby

Burnaby - 18th Ave - family and seniors housing

BURNABY - Twenty-five new affordable homes are on the way for families, seniors and people with disabilities in Burnaby, with construction underway on a new housing project in the community.

"These homes will give families, seniors and people with disabilities a safe and secure place they can afford, something that everyone deserves," said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. "This project is another example of how we're working with other levels of government and community partners to deliver thousands of affordable homes in communities throughout the province."

Located at 7898 18th Ave., the three-storey building will provide studio, one-, two- and three- bedroom homes for people with moderate and low incomes. The site is within walking distance of a number of community amenities including Edmonds Community Centre, Byrne Creek Ravine Park and Edmonds Skytrain Station.

The project is a partnership between the federal and provincial governments, the City of Burnaby and New Vista Society.

The Province is providing approximately $2.5 million through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund and will provide about $110,000 in annual operational funding. The federal government, through the Canada and Mortgage Housing Corporation, is providing a Federal Bilateral Canada Community Housing Initiative grant of $1 million. The city initiated the project by providing the site, assessed at more than $3 million, and is leasing the land to the society at a nominal rate.

New Vista Society will operate the building, which is scheduled to open in fall 2022.

Quotes:

Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds -

"It's great to see this project moving forward as our government continues to invest in the affordable housing people need. The mix of affordable rentals will help benefit a range of people in the community."

Terry Beech, MP for Burnaby North-Seymour -

"Our government is working hard so that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. This new development will provide desperately-needed homes for families, seniors and those with disabilities in our community. That is why our government is providing a $1 million grant through our bilateral agreement with British Columbia to help bring this project to reality. It is through a partnership with all levels of government that we can end chronic housing needs in Burnaby. This is our government's National Housing Strategy at work."

Mike Hurley, mayor, City of Burnaby -

"This project will provide quality affordable rental housing in the heart of the Edmonds neighbourhood. The City of Burnaby is actively seeking partnerships to build these kinds of projects and ensure everyone in our community can find the home they need at a price they can afford."

Darin Froese, CEO, New Vista Society -

"New Vista Society is delighted to have this exciting project underway with the City of Burnaby and BC Housing. We are looking forward to being able to offer more affordable housing to people in need."

Quick Facts:

  • To help more Canadians access affordable housing that meets their needs, the Government of Canada launched the National Housing Strategy (NHS) - a 10-year, more than $55-billion program designed to build 125,000 new affordable housing units, repair 300,000 others and reduce chronic homelessness by 50%.
  • The Community Housing Fund 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 low- and moderate-income families and individuals over 10 years.
    • More than 8,800 of these homes are already open, under construction or in development.
  • The Community Housing Fund supports mixed-income buildings where 50% of the units are for households with annual incomes up to $64,000, 30% of the units are for households with incomes up to approximately $74,000, and 20% of the units are for households with very low incomes (including those on income or disability assistance).
  • Through provincial investments, more than 2,100 affordable homes are open or underway in Burnaby.

Learn More:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit: www.placetocallhome.ca

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

Contacts:

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

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org

Valérie Glazer
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
valerie.glazer@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819 654-5546

Leonard Catling
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
lcatling@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
604 787-1787

Chris Bryan
City of Burnaby
Chris.Bryan@burnaby.ca
604 570-3616