CAMPBELL RIVER – People with low to moderate incomes, including those with brain injuries and their families, are moving into 27 new affordable rental homes in Campbell River.

The building, named Linda’s Place, is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province and the Campbell River Head Injury Support Society.

“These new homes will provide new opportunities, security and peace of mind for brain injury survivors and their families,” said Claire Trevena, MLA for North Island. “Our government will continue to work with partners to invest in homes, like the 27 affordable homes at Linda’s Place, to help create healthy and thriving communities.”

Located at 531 9th Ave., the four-storey building includes a mix of studio, and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Nine of the units are allocated to people with brain injuries and their families, with rents at or near the shelter rate allowance for people with disabilities. The remaining 18 units will be rented at below-market rents, ranging from $750 per month (one bedroom) to $1,250 (three bedroom).

“Our government’s investment in affordable housing in Campbell River is helping improve the lives of people living with brain injuries and their families,” said Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “With a safe and affordable place to call home, along with support from the dedicated people at the Campbell River Head Injury Support Society, these families can now focus more energy on rehabilitation and other positive pursuits. This is a community achievement we can all be proud to be a part of.”

People started moving into their homes in early June 2020.

“On behalf of the City of Campbell River council and community, we thank the continued efforts of the Campbell River Head Injury Society and greatly appreciate the provincial and federal funding support for this important and much-needed community housing resource,” said Andy Adams, mayor, City of Campbell River. “The city has been proud to support this project through waiving development and other cost charges, and to advocate on behalf of the people leading the charge on the development of Linda’s Place over the years. Congratulations and thank you to all for the difference you are making in people’s lives by ensuring they have a safe and supportive place to call home.”

The Campbell River Head Injury Support Society, which provides education, support, advocacy and fellowship to brain injury survivors, caregivers and the public about brain injury, will operate the housing. The society created a brain injury specific housing program in 2011 and will provide support services and daily contact with a support worker for brain-injured tenants.

“We are very excited for Linda’s Place, where we now have 27 affordable homes to offer to our members and the community,” said Shelley Howard, executive director, Campbell River Head Injury Support Society. “Being able to spend less on rent means more money in their pocket, which means a better quality of life. We are thankful to so many who helped us make this dream a reality.”

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 Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $5.3 million in capital funding for the project.
• The Government of Canada, through CMHC, provided $830,000 under the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, including an insured takeout mortgage of $1.97 million.
• The City of Campbell River provided approximately $100,000 in municipal waivers.
• In addition to this project, the Province is working in partnership to deliver 90 new affordable homes for people in Campbell River:
  • 41 units at the recently purchased Heritage Inn for people who were displaced by the fire at the Pacific West Complex; and
  • 49 units for women and children leaving violence.

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