NANAIMO - Seniors, people with disabilities and other people with limited incomes are moving into 85 new affordable rental homes in Nanaimo as two housing projects open in the community.

"These new homes will provide much-needed safe, secure and affordable living for seniors and adults with disabilities," said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. "These projects will change lives, and I'm grateful to our community partners for working hard so more people have a place to call home in our community."

In partnership with the Nanaimo Association for Community Living, 28 one-bedroom townhomes will open in mid-September at 3425 Uplands Dr. The project includes 12 accessible homes for people with developmental disabilities. Four full-time staff members will help support residents in their home and provide services according to each individual's care plan. Monthly rents for these units will be $500. The remaining homes include a live-in manager's suite and 15 homes, with monthly rents at $880.

Fifty-seven affordable rental homes, including three accessible units, are also opening in mid- September for seniors at 77 Mill St. Operated by the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, the one-bedroom homes have monthly rents ranging from $935 to $1,135. Rents include services such as phone, internet, cable and laundry.

These projects are part of the more than 23,000 homes that are complete or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments made since 2017.

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:

Leonard Krog, mayor, City of Nanaimo -
"I want to congratulate all those involved in making these projects a reality and helping to create affordable rental homes for people in our community. I'm especially grateful for the support for adults with disabilities, and how this housing will help them to further thrive in our community."

Randy Humchitt, deputy executive director, Nanaimo Association for Community Living -
"This project represents the continued evolution of services for people with diverse abilities; a movement towards inclusion and honouring that the people we serve want and deserve housing options that are as diverse as they are. For many clients, it is the realization of a lifelong dream; a home of their very own."

Andrea Blakeman, chief executive officer, Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society -
"We are extremely fortunate to have partnered with BC Housing on this latest seniors' project. We have worked diligently to enable these units to be offered at affordable rents with so many amenities included. Now more than ever, seniors need to be connected in every way possible with family, friends and services, and this project ensures even those at the most modest of income levels have access to those essential connections."

Quick Facts:

• Funding for the project at 3425 Uplands Dr.:
  • The Province provided $4.9 million in capital funding and $1.9 million in construction financing.
  • The City of Nanaimo provided $95,000 in municipal waivers.
  • Nanaimo Association for Community Living provided the land.
• Funding for the project at 77 Mill St.:
  • The Province provided $8 million in capital funding and $3.3 million in construction financing.
  • The Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society provided the land.

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

City of Nanaimo
Media Relations
mediarequests@nanaimo.ca

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