11
June
2019
|
10:35 AM
America/Los_Angeles

Nearly 100 new affordable homes open in Terrace

TERRACE - People struggling to afford housing in the community now have access to nearly 100 new homes, thanks to a partnership between the Province, the City of Terrace and Ksan House Society.

"Northwest communities like Terrace were left to suffer under the weight of a housing crisis for too long," said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast. "These new homes will give people the peace of mind that comes from having a safe and affordable place to call home - something that every British Columbian deserves."

People experiencing homelessness in the community are moving into new safe and secure homes with 24/7 support at Sonder House. Located at 4523 Olson Ave., the three-storey modular apartment building features 52 units, including three accessible units on the ground floor. Each unit includes a bathroom and kitchenette.

Ksan House Society will operate the building and provide residents with meal programs, life and employment skills training and access to health and wellness support services.

The non-profit organization is also celebrating the opening of Stone Ridge Estates, which recently opened its doors to low-income individuals and families. The three-storey apartment building provides 45 affordable rental homes, including two accessible units. Monthly rental rates range between $595 and $875.

"Having both the new affordable housing and supportive housing programs adds significantly to our portfolio and gives us the opportunity to provide a better housing continuum to the community of Terrace. These new programs are just the beginning to fill a very large gap in the housing sector in the northwest. We are thankful to both the Government of B.C. and the City of Terrace for their support," said Amanda Bains, executive director, Ksan House Society.

"The City of Terrace is pleased to have supported BC Housing and Ksan House Society in providing new, affordable and modern housing for people with low incomes or who are homeless," said Carol Leclerc, mayor, City of Terrace. "The contributions by the city are significant and include land and grants. A secure place to call home is the foundation of wellness. We wish each individual and family all the best in their new homes."

As a result of provincial investments, more than 20,000 new homes are completed or underway throughout B.C.

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:

  • The B.C. government provided approximately $10 million in capital funding for the modular supportive housing project and approximately $8.4 million in capital funding for the affordable housing project.
  • The City of Terrace provided the land valued at $220,000 for the modular supportive housing project and a $250,000 Affordable Housing Fund grant, municipal waivers in the amount of $178,000 and the land valued at approximately $441,000 for the affordable housing project.
  • Through the Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program, the Province is investing $291 million to build 2,000 homes around the province and providing annual operating funding to provide 24/7 staffing and support services. More than 1,400 are complete.
  • The Province is also working in partnership with M'akola Housing Society to build 48 homes for Indigenous peoples in Terrace through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund.

Learn More:

Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program: https://www.bchousing.org/partner-services/Building-BC/rapid-response-homelessness

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 find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges

Read Homes for B.C., government's 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: http://bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

Two backgrounders follow. 

Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Media Relations
778 698-9176

Laura Matthews
BC Housing
604 439-8571


BACKGROUNDER 1

Services and supports provided for modular housing

All new modular housing buildings in the province have around-the-clock staffing to help young people, people with disabilities, seniors and others in critical need of housing.

The Province provides annual operating funding to help those with the highest housing needs to build new beginnings. Experienced non-profit housing providers will provide support to tenants based on their assessed needs.

Services and supports provided to young people, seniors, people with disabilities and others who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, include:

  • meals;
  • connecting residents to community supports, such as education and employment opportunities, and health and wellness services, including mental health and addiction treatment programs;
  • individual or group support services, such as life skills, community information and social and recreational programs;
  • case planning and needs assessment;
  • other supports designed to assist residents in meeting their personal and housing goals, including culturally specific programs;
  • help accessing income assistance, pension benefits, disability benefits, obtaining a B.C. identification card or establishing a bank account;
  • support for residents to learn how to operate and maintain a home; and
  • no-cost laundry services, either on- or off-site.

Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Media Relations
778 698-9176

Laura Matthews
BC Housing
604 439-8571


BACKGROUNDER 2

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership to build affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians.

Budget 2018 included a $7-billion investment in the homes people need. As a result of that investment, more than 20,000 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.

Housing for middle-income earners (households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000) - approximately 2,460 homes:

  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 1,500 rental homes for people with middle incomes.
  • HousingHub: 960 homes.

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes (including some where rents are based on 30% of household income and others with set rents, which are designed to be affordable to moderate-income households, in most cases earning less that $70,000 annually) - approximately 9,200 homes:

  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 3,700 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes.
  • Affordable Rental Housing Program: nearly 1,600 homes for low to moderate incomes.
  • Deepening Affordability Fund: more than 2,100 homes for low to moderate incomes.
  • Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: more than 1,150 homes for Indigenous peoples, on and off reserve.
  • Regional Housing First Program: more than 600 homes for people with low to moderate incomes.

Housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (shelter-rate housing) - approximately 2,800 homes:

  • Rapid Response for Homelessness: more than 2,000 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: more than 550 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Regional Housing First Program: more than 170 homes for those ready to live independently with supports.

Housing for women and children leaving violence - approximately 340 homes:

  • Building BC: Women's Transition Housing Fund: approximately 340 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence.

Housing for students - approximately 5,600 homes:

  • BC Student Housing Loan Program: approximately 2,700 on-campus student housing units are underway or in the approvals process.
  • Close to 2,900 student housing units are also underway or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions.

Total: approximately 20,400 homes

Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Media Relations
778 698-9176

Laura Matthews
BC Housing
604 439-8571