WEST VANCOUVER – The Province is partnering with Baptist Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health on a proposal to redevelop Inglewood Care Centre, which is aging and in need of extensive renovations.

On Feb. 3, Baptist Housing, a non-profit provider, took over operations of the 230-unit care centre located at 725 Inglewood Ave. It is working with residents and Vancouver Coastal Health to improve day-to-day management of the building and the quality of services.

BC Housing, through the HousingHub, provided financing of approximately $114 million to Baptist Housing to purchase the care centre and three adjacent lots. Baptist Housing provided an additional $14.5 million of its own equity toward the purchase.

As planning moves forward, project partners will work with the District of West Vancouver on rezoning and permit applications. This redevelopment would replace the existing 230 beds, with the potential of adding more beds in the future. Existing residents would not be displaced as a result of this project.

In addition to the proposed redevelopment, Baptist Housing will explore additional opportunities to expand housing and care services on the property. Once a proposal is ready, partners will ask the public for input.

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:

Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing –
“We are thrilled to partner with Baptist Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health to help seniors stay in the community where they have connections. I’m also looking forward to seeing how we can bring more affordable housing options onto this site, so that more seniors in West Vancouver can have a home close to friends and family.”

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health –
“Our government is committed to improving care for seniors. We’ve invested in the Inglewood Care Centre to raise the standard of care to the level that seniors deserve. I’m pleased about this partnership moving forward so that this site can continue to support seniors to age with dignity.”

Howard Johnson, president and CEO, Baptist Housing –
“As a non-profit, our focus is always on people and service instead of profit, and that allows us to bring a unique approach to this exciting project. We want to do more than just run the residence the same way it's always been run. We’re blessed to be given the opportunity to serve in West Vancouver, and we want to make sure Inglewood, its residents and our team are part of the community. We’ll do our utmost to ensure this campus of care reaches its full potential for the benefit of everyone.”

Mary-Ann Booth, mayor, West Vancouver –
“Providing housing and support for our seniors as they age and their needs change is a priority for West Vancouver council. Baptist Housing has demonstrated an excellent standard of care in many B.C. communities, and we look forward to working with them here to meet these critical community needs.”

Mary Ackenhusen, president and CEO, Vancouver Coastal Health –
“Vancouver Coastal Health welcomes Baptist Housing as a new long-term care partner to ensure seniors on the North Shore have the quality, supportive care they need.”

Quick Facts:

• The HousingHub is a division within BC Housing established in 2018 as part of B.C.’s 10-year housing plan to seek innovative partnerships with local governments, non-profit and co-operative housing organizations, community land trusts, Indigenous groups, faith-based groups, charities, financial institutions and other industries to create affordable rental housing and homeownership options for middle-income British Columbians.
• Through the HousingHub, the Building BC funds and other 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.

Learn More:

HousingHub: https://www.bchousing.org/housinghub

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:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Media Relations
778 584-1255

Laura Mathews
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