MISSION - Seniors with moderate and low incomes in Mission are benefiting from 74 additional affordable homes and a seniors' activity centre now that the doors are open on a new project in the community.

"With the opening of these new homes, seniors won't be forced to move away from the community many of them helped build in order to find affordable housing," said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing.

"Support and respect for our seniors means ensuring they have a safe and affordable home in their community. Thank you to Mission and our partners for helping us to deliver this badly needed housing."

Located at 7682 Grand St., the six-storey building is made up of studio, one- and two-bedroom homes for seniors and seniors living with dependant adult children. Monthly rents range from $375 to $1,200, depending on unit size and tenant income.

The Missions Association for Seniors Housing (MASH) is operating the project. Part of the project is a ground-floor leisure area named the Boswyk Seniors Activity Centre. This space includes a commercial kitchen, community hall, multi-purpose rooms and a games room.

"The MASH board of directors and myself are thrilled to be welcoming tenants to the new Boswyk building," said Tricia Schweers, executive director, MASH. "It is so rewarding to have collaborated with BC Housing and the District of Mission to see this project come to fruition. The suites are very well appointed with all modern conveniences with a communal activity room and large deck. This will provide seniors with much-needed affordable housing for years to come and to encourage community and socialization with the addition of the Seniors Activity Centre."

The Province provided $7.4 million for the project through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund, as well as $8.85 million in construction financing. The Province is also providing approximately $197,000 in annual operating funding.

The District of Mission is providing the land for the project, valued at approximately $1.32 million. The district also contributed $225,000 in waived fees and reduced development costs, $1.6 million from the Federal Gas Tax Fund and $4.2 million in project funding, including $1 million in forestry profits generated from the Mission Municipal Forest. MASH provided $700,000 toward costs for the residential housing space.

The Marilyn Boswyk Fund, administered by the Mission Community Foundation, has provided $500,000 toward capital costs for the Boswyk Seniors Activity Centre. The fund will also contribute to the annual operating costs through the Mission Seniors Centre Association, which will manage the activity centre in partnership with the District of Mission's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department.

People started moving into the building on May 8, 2021.

Quotes:

Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission -

"I am thrilled to see this project open its doors. I know how much these homes are needed for seniors in Mission and it took a lot of hard work from all the partners to make this project a reality. These 74 new affordable homes, along with a seniors' activity centre, will make a significant difference for seniors in the community."

Paul Horn, mayor, District of Mission -

"Thank you to all the partners that worked together to bring this project to life. This building will make the dream of a multi-purpose senior's centre in our community a reality while building a legacy for all future Mission seniors."

Bob Ingram, chair, Mission Community Foundation -

"Mission Community Foundation welcomed the opportunity to provide assistance in providing affordable housing as well as a new seniors' activity centre through the generous donation from Marilyn Boswyk and family."

Quick Facts:

• 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 6,100 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).
• The Province is working in partnership to increase the supply of affordable homes in Mission for people with a range of income levels. Including this project, 142 homes are complete or underway in the community.

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/

Contacts:

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

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org