NORTH VANCOUVER – Construction is underway for more than 100 affordable rental homes for seniors on the North Shore, thanks to a partnership between the Province and Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society.

“Far too many seniors living in North Vancouver are one rent increase away from being homeless, and it's unacceptable,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale. “This new provincially funded project will give many more seniors the stable housing they deserve. More projects like this are needed throughout the North Shore, and I'm committed to continuing our work to bring affordable housing to people.”

Located at 2555 Whiteley Ct., Lynn Woods will be a six-storey building, providing 106 one-bedroom apartments for low- and middle-income seniors. The building will also include a multi-purpose hall for social gatherings, such as special events, dances and exercise classes, as well as a new arts and crafts room. Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society will own and operate the new building.

“Providing affordable rental homes is a priority for this council and we are pleased to be able support projects, such as Lynn Woods, here in the District of North Vancouver,” said Mike Little, mayor, District of North Vancouver. “We look forward to continuing to work with partners and all levels of government to provide affordable housing in our community.”

The new building is well situated in the Lynn Valley neighbourhood, providing close proximity to amenities, including a shopping centre, the Karen Magnussen Recreation Centre and transit.

The society is receiving $10.6 million from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund, as well as construction financing, for the project. The District of North Vancouver will waive development costs of approximately $2.8 million. The society provided the land valued at $13.6 million and equity of $12.1 million for the new building.

The project will be located next to Lynn Manor, a 205-unit high-rise for seniors, which has been operated by the society since 1974. The two properties were designed to create a sense of community with shared offices, indoor and outdoor amenity spaces.

“We are delighted to announce the construction of our newest rental building for seniors on the North Shore,” said Patrick McLaughlin, board chair, Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society. “This project would not be possible without the support and participation of the Province and District of North Vancouver, and for that we are very appreciative. Together, we are helping seniors in our community to find affordable housing.”

This project is part of the more than 22,000 new homes that are complete or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments.

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:

• This housing development is funded 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 projected rent mix will be:
  • 21 units for seniors with low incomes: $375;
  • 53 rent-geared-to-income units (seniors with low to moderate incomes) approximately $890; and
  • 32 middle-income units: approximately $1,525
• In addition to these 106 homes for seniors, the Province is working in partnership to build 90 affordable rental homes for families in North Vancouver.

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/

Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society’s commitment to serving seniors in need of below market housing began in 1948 with the creation of the Kiwanis Village in North Vancouver. The society is now the primary provider of below market independent seniors’ rental housing in both North and West Vancouver. To learn more, visit: www.kiwanisnorthshorehousing.org

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

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

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

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

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

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org