MISSION – Seniors in need of homes will soon have access to more than 70 new affordable rental homes and a new seniors’ community centre, with construction underway on a new development in Mission.

“After years of neglect by the last government, we’re acting quickly to build the homes people need in communities throughout British Columbia,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. “These affordable homes, together with a new seniors’ community centre, will help seniors live independently and stay connected to their friends and family.”

Mission Association of Seniors Housing is receiving $7.4 million from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund and construction financing of up to $11.5 million to build 74 homes at 7682 Grand St.

The six-storey wood-frame building will offer studio and one- and- two-bedroom units for seniors with low to middle incomes. Projected monthly rents will range between $375 for some studios and one-bedroom units, and up to $1,050 for some two-bedroom units.

A community centre on the ground floor of the building will be funded and operated by the District of Mission parks, recreation and culture department.

Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2021.

This project is part of more than 22,000 new homes that are completed or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments. This includes more than 5,200 homes in mixed-income buildings being developed through the Community Housing Fund.

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:

Pam Alexis, mayor, District of Mission –

“On behalf of council, I wish to thank Minister Robinson for her leadership in providing new affordable spaces in British Columbia and to MLA D’Eith for championing our project here in Mission. Projects, such as this one for our seniors, help to fill in the gaps in our housing continuum. In addition, council is grateful for all the partners at the table who have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality. Integrating housing and the much-needed seniors’ activity centre will make a big difference in our community.”

Tricia Schweers, executive director, Mission Association of Seniors Housing –

“We are delighted to see the project come to fruition after many months of planning and collaboration with our community partners. This will go a long way to enable our seniors to have affordable and stable housing in Mission and to benefit from their continued community activities and local supports.”

Bob Ingram, president, Mission Seniors Centre Association –

“The beginning of construction of a new seniors’ activity centre in Mission is an exciting time for seniors in our community. The centre will provide new and expanded program opportunities in an expanded space. The Mission Seniors Centre Association wishes to express gratitude and appreciation to the District of Mission, Mission Association for Seniors Housing, Terra Housing, BC Housing and all who have contributed to this project. A very heartfelt thank you to Marilyn Boswyk, whose generous bequest was the catalyst for the dream of a new facility to become a reality.”

Quick Facts:

• 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 District of Mission contributions to the project include:
  • a nominal 60-year lease rate for the land;​
  • contributions to fee waivers and development cost charge waivers of $230,000; and
  • all capital and operating costs for the seniors’ community centre.
• The Mission Association for Seniors Housing is providing $700,000 in cash equity to the project toward the residential housing costs.
• The Mission Seniors Centre Association is providing $500,000 through a charitable bequest from Marilyn Boswyk for the seniors’ community centre.
• The projected rents will be:
  • 15 units for seniors with low incomes (i.e., seniors on fixed incomes): $375 (studio and one-bedroom) to $570 (two-bedroom).
  • 37 rent-geared-to-income units (seniors with low to moderate incomes): $501 (studio) to $710 (two-bedroom).
  • 22 middle-income units: $850 (one-bedroom) to $1,050 (two-bedroom).

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
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
250 882-8518

Laura Matthews
BC Housing
604 439-8571

BACKGROUNDER

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 complete, 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: more than 1,170 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off-reserve.
• Regional Housing First Program: more than 700 homes for people with low to moderate incomes.

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

• Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,064 homes with 24/7 support.
• Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: nearly 800 homes with 24/7 support.
• Regional Housing First Program: more than 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

Contacts:

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

Laura Matthews
BC Housing
604 439-8571