VICTORIA - The Province is launching a new set of projects through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund with nearly 540 affordable rental homes on the way for people with low to moderate incomes.

"The Community Housing Fund is about just that - community. Through this program, we are working with our partners to build thousands of new homes that are affordable for a mix of people, from growing families to seniors on fixed incomes," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "After the previous government ignored the housing crisis, these new homes are another step forward in delivering the urgently-needed housing that people deserve. We also know there is much more to do, and will continue to build safe, secure and affordable homes for people in B.C."

The Community Housing Fund supports mixed-income buildings where 50% of the units are for households with 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).

The Province, through BC Housing, has selected an initial seven projects to move forward:

• Kelowna, 2175 Benvoulin Ct.: 122 homes for seniors and single parents with their children, in partnership with National Society of Hope.
• Vancouver, 524-528 Powell St.: 114 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Lookout Health and Housing Society.
• Surrey, 13583 81st Ave. and King George Hwy.: 100 homes for families and individuals, in partnership with Options Community Services Society.
• North Vancouver, Skwxwú7mesh First Nation: 95 on-reserve homes for Elders, youth and families, in partnership with Hiyam Housing Society.
• Langford, 2780 Spencer Rd.: 58 homes for seniors, in partnership with the Capital Regional Housing Corporation.
• Gitaus, Kitselas First Nation: 40 on-reserve homes for Elders, youth and families, in partnership with Kitselas Housing Society.
• Clinton, 300 Smith Ave.: 10 homes for seniors, in partnership with Clinton and District Assisted Living Society.

"Each one of the homes announced today will remain affordable forever, and will play a critical role in individual and community health," said Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association. "Community housing is the key to solving our housing emergency, and it's clear with this investment that the Province understands our role."

These projects are the first of approximately 3,000 new affordable homes that are being funded through the second request for proposals (RFP) for the Community Housing Fund. The RFP is open until January 2021.

Over 25,000 homes are currently complete or underway across B.C. through the Province's Homes for B.C. 10-year housing plan. This includes more than 15,000 that are open or under active construction.

Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government, the B.C. Green Party caucus and Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quick Facts:

• These new housing projects are set to begin construction by spring 2021:
  • Kelowna, 2175 Benvoulin Ct.: construction expected to start in February 2021.
  • Vancouver, 524-528 Powell St.: construction expected to start in March 2021.
  • Surrey, 13583 81st Ave. and King George Hwy.: construction expected to start in November 2020.
  • North Vancouver, Skwxwú7mesh First Nation: construction expected to start in March 2021.
  • Langford, 2780 Spencer Rd.: construction expected to start in January 2021.
  • Gitaus, Kitselas First Nation: construction expected to start in June 2021.
  • Clinton, 300 Smith Ave.: construction underway.

Learn More:

Information about the Building BC: Community Housing Fund can be found here: http://www.bchousing.org/CHF

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/

Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Media Relations
778 584-1255

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org