15
November
2019
|
13:02 PM
America/Los_Angeles

New affordable homes on the way for seniors in Clearwater

CLEARWATER – Seniors in need of homes they can afford will soon have access to 20 new rental homes, helping them live independently in their community.

“Seniors on fixed incomes deserve the security and peace of good, secure housing, knowing they have the option to stay in their community,” said Selina Robinson, Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing. “It’s great to see the community of Clearwater come together to get this project off the ground. It will be a place where seniors can age in place, close to friends and loved ones.”

The development by Evergreen Acres Senior Housing Society will provide three single-storey rowhouse-style buildings with 18 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units, all with in-suite laundry. The site, 144 Evergreen Pl., is conveniently located near public transit, as well as scooter-friendly trails that provide easy access to a nearby medical clinic and shopping area.

Evergreen Acres Senior Housing Society is receiving $2 million from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund and construction financing for the project.

This project is part of more than 22,000 new homes that are completed or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments.
Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quotes:

Merlin Blackwell, mayor, District of Clearwater —
“This is a fantastic project that shows exactly what can be accomplished when citizens, community groups and different levels of government come together in a selfless effort to better the lives of our very deserving seniors.”

Pearl McLoney, chair, Evergreen Acres Senior Housing Society —
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Province, Wells Grey Community Forest Society, the District of Clearwater and community members to make this much-needed project a reality. I would like to thank all of our partners for their support. This enables our seniors to age in our community with their family and friends.”

Heather MacLennen, secretary/treasurer, Wells Gray Community Forest Society —
“The society has supported this project wholeheartedly as it benefits our seniors and our community as a whole. We are a resilient small rural community with a can-do attitude. When we decide to get something done, everyone pulls together and it gets done.”

Quick Facts:

  • The land for the project was provided by Evergreen Acres Senior Housing Society. The Wells Gray Community Forest Society provided a grant of approximately $1 million and the District of Clearwater waived development cost charges and municipal connection costs.
  • This housing development is part of the first series of projects selected to receive funding through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years to build more than 14,000 mixed-income rental homes throughout the province.
  • The estimated rent mix for this project will be:
    • Four one-bedroom units for seniors with low incomes (i.e., seniors on fixed incomes): $420
    • 10 rent-geared-to-income units (seniors with low to moderate incomes): $560 (one-bedroom units) to $728 (two bedroom)
    • Six middle-income one-bedroom units: $698

Learn More:

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:

Darren Harbord
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
250 882-8518

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER 2

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership 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 22,000 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 Aug. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for middle-income earners (households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000) – approximately 4,120 homes:

  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 1,500 rental homes for people with middle incomes.
  • HousingHub: approximately 2,620 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 than $70,000 annually) – approximately 9,320 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 2,150 homes for low to moderate incomes.
  • Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: approximately 1,170 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off-reserve.
  • Regional Housing First Program: approximately 700 homes for people with low to moderate incomes.

Housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (shelter-rate housing) – approximately 3,060 homes:

  • Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,064 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: approximately 800 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Regional Housing First Program: approximately 200 homes for those ready to live independently with supports.

Housing for women and children leaving violence – approximately 360 homes:

  • Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: approximately 360 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.
  • Nearly 2,900 student housing units are also underway or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions.

Total: approximately 22,460 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org