SOOKE – Construction is underway on eight new affordable rental homes for people in Sooke through a partnership between the Government of B.C. and M’akola Housing Society.

“We are working with our partners to make sure people in Sooke and communities throughout the province have safe homes with rents they can afford,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “We know there’s more work to do, but thanks to partners like M’akola Housing Society, we are delivering the homes that people need.”

Located at 6750 West Coast Rd., the units are in the Hope Centre, which currently provides 25 homes for youth and adults who have experienced or were at risk of homelessness. The Province, through BC Housing, is providing $1.5 million in construction financing to the society to convert three commercial units in the building into the eight new homes.

“In Sooke, we know that where and how people live affects the well-being and character of our entire community,” said Maja Tait, mayor, District of Sooke. “These new affordable rental homes reflect our long-standing approach to affordable housing, one that not only helps renters, but also offers a host of benefits to the local economy and community. This is a timely investment and one we’re grateful for.”

Monthly rents are projected to range between approximately $600 (studio) and $700 (one bedroom). The new homes are expected to be complete by late October 2020.

“We are proud to have found an innovative way to add new eight new homes to this housing project in Sooke,” said Kevin Albers, CEO, M’akola Housing Society. “Affordable housing is a valued addition to every community, and we are excited that our partnerships with the Province and community of Sooke have made this possible.”

The Province continues to work with partners to address the housing needs of people in Sooke, including those who are experiencing homelessness. In partnership with the District of Sooke, plans were recently announced for a new temporary shelter, located on a private piece of land, to provide vulnerable people with a safe place to stay while permanent housing is underway.

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:

• In addition to the eight new homes at the Hope Centre, the Province is working in partnership with the federal government and Capital Regional District to build 245 new affordable rental homes for people with a range of incomes in Sooke:
  • 75 homes, including 15 shelter-rate homes, at 2170 Charters Rd.
  • 170 homes, including 34 shelter-rate homes, at 6480 Drennan St.

Learn More:
A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is 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:

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

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership with non-profits, municipalities, First Nations, Indigenous housing organizations and the private sector 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 23,000 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 Dec. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for people with middle incomes

The average annual household income qualifying for homes underway is under $99,000 per year:

• HousingHub: 2,802 homes

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes

This includes people residing in social housing (household incomes less than $65,000) as well as those living in affordable market rentals (households with annual incomes up to $74,000) – 9,837 homes:

Affordable market:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (30% of units in each project): 1,565 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Affordable Rental Housing Program: 1,615 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Deepening Affordability Fund: 1,976 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Regional Housing First Program: 907 homes for people with low to moderate incomes

Social housing or subsidized rents:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (50% of units in each project): 2,609 rental homes for people with low incomes
• Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: 1,165 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off- reserve

Housing for people with very low incomes

Rental housing for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, or for people with very low incomes (includes supportive housing and shelter-rate housing) – 4,795 homes:

• Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,012 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: 1,060 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: 679 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence
• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (20% of units in each project): 1,044 homes

Housing for students – 5,584 homes:

• BC Student Housing Loan Program: 2,699 on-campus student housing units are under construction, in development or in the approvals process
• 2,885 student housing units are also completed, under construction or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions

Total: 23,018 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org