13
December
2019
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09:51 AM
America/Los_Angeles

New partnership building rental homes for Langley families

LANGLEY – The Province is partnering with a company in Langley to build nearly 100 new rental homes for middle-income people in the community.

“Years of inaction by the last government have left many people, even those with middle incomes, like teachers, nurses and small business owners, struggling to find affordable housing,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Through partnerships like this, we are building the homes that people need to stay in their community.”

Construction is underway on Solaro, which will provide 98 rental homes for individuals and families at 22304 - 50th Ave. in Murrayville.

In partnership with Century Group, the project is being built through BC Housing’s HousingHub, which was created by the Province in 2018. The HousingHub works with community, government and non-profit and private-sector stakeholders to help create new affordable rental housing and home-ownership options for middle-income British Columbians.

For this project, the HousingHub is providing interim construction financing, which will reduce the cost of the project. The savings will be passed on to the people who will live there.

The new rental homes will be for households with annual incomes ranging between $50,000 and $155,000. Monthly rents will range from approximately $1,250 for a one-bedroom unit to $2,140 for a two-bedroom and den.

“While all of our projects are important to us, it is particularly exciting to partner with BC Housing on this initiative,” said Sean Hodgins, president, Century Group. “We see the family-oriented floorplans, focus on outdoor engagement spaces and sustainable living of Solaro as a great addition to the broader Langley community, and are excited to expand our presence in Langley with our Barbican Property Management division.”

These homes will be in two wood-frame, four-storey buildings, located in a park-like setting with a walking path, dog park, gardens and a children’s playground. Each building will include a single level of underground parking with access to the parkade. The parkades will each have an electric vehicle charging station.

"On behalf of the Township of Langley Council, we are delighted to see new affordable rental homes like Solaro in our community,” said Jack Froese, mayor, Township of Langley. “As one of the fastest-growing municipalities, these new cost-effective homes will provide a sense of well-being and a place for many to call home.”

Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2021.

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 the HousingHub, is providing interim construction financing of up to $31 million for this project in Langley.
  • Through provincial investments, more than 22,000 new homes are complete, under construction or in development for people with a range of incomes throughout the province. This includes 420 homes in Langley:
    • HousingHub: 98 homes for people with middle incomes
    • Community Housing Fund: 191 affordable rental homes for people with low to middle incomes
    • Deepening Affordability Fund: 131 affordable rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes

Learn More:

HousingHub: https://www.bchousing.org/partner-services/housinghub

A map showing the location of all announced provincially-funded housing projects in B.C. is available online at: 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
778 698-1608

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