Riverwalk family celebrates new home, 50 years of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Faisal moved to Canada from Kurdistan, northern Iraq in 2018. He was looking for a better life for his family. For the first couple of years Faisal lived on his own in Metro Vancouver. He got work and started looking for a home for his wife Hanan and their two daughters.
In 2020, Faisal’s family moved to Canada to join him. Even with two jobs it was hard for Faisal to find affordable rental housing big enough for a family of four. All four of them lived together in a small, one bedroom apartment.
Friends told Faisal to apply online to BC Housing. They told him to search the Housing Listings for an affordable rental home in Vancouver. Faisal applied right away. People warned it could take a long time, but the family was hopeful.
Moving to south Vancouver
A few weeks after applying, the family heard their housing application was approved. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. a not-for-profit housing operator, invited the family to visit Riverwalk and select a suite. A new development, Riverwalk has 109 affordable rental homes. Seniors, families and individuals with low to moderate incomes live there.
The homes are a short distance from the Fraser River in south Vancouver. Close to transit and services, the building is also near places the kids can play and enjoy being outside.
The location is beautiful. We were lucky to move here. Everything is new. It’s a three bedroom, we have lots of space. We live near playgrounds, parks and shopping.
Neighbours make Riverwalk home
Riverwalk is a close community with lots of children the girls play with.
“The people that run the building, our neighbours, they are kind and helpful -- it makes a huge difference to us”, says Faisal.
This year, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. celebrates 50 years of delivering resettlement services to people like Faisal in Canada.
“We help people get affordable housing. We also serve the needs of newcomers from around the world on their Canadian journey. Our services are based on our staff and volunteers’ open, caring hearts. We’re grateful for our government partners. With BC Housing and Metro Vancouver municipalities, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. operates and manages over 900 affordable housing units in 10 locations across the region. There's more to come,” says Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Riverwalk is part of more than 36,000 affordable new homes completed or underway for people in BC. Projects include nearly 8,500 homes in Vancouver since the Province launched its 10-year $7-billion housing plan in 2018. The Government of British Columbia provided $10.8 million in capital grants to Riverwalk.
Find out if you can get help with paying rent or assistance with housing.