Williams Lake Wednesday, December 11, 2019 9:00 AM
VanMar Constructors Inc.rCraven Huston Powers Architectutre.r38 Units.
People with low to moderate incomes, including those with disabilities, now have access to 39 new affordable rental homes with the opening of a project at 253 First Ave. North.
“Everyone deserves to have a secure and affordable home, where they are welcomed as part of a community,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We’re proud to support this project, which will provide safe, affordable homes for more people in Williams Lake.”
Williams Lake Association for Community Living is operating the five-storey building, which includes eight units for people affected by intellectual disabilities or mental health challenges and two fully accessible units.
“We are very excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Ian McLaughlin, executive director, Williams Lake Association for Community Living. “It means a great deal to the people we support to have modern, affordable housing, and the building is a great addition to the neighbourhood and community.”
Monthly rental rates for the studios and one- and two-bedroom units range from the provincial shelter rate of $375 to $825.
These homes will be available to households with incomes from $15,000 to $33,000.
The new homes offer easy access to the amenities and services of Williams Lake downtown core.
This project is part of more than 22,000 new homes that are completed 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:
- The Province provided $8 million for the project through the Affordable Rental Housing Program, a $208-million investment announced in the 2017 September Budget Update.
- Monthly rents for this project are:
- Four studio units: $375 (provincial shelter rate);
- Four one-bedroom units: $500;
- 27 one-bedroom units: $690;
- Three two-bedroom units: $825; and
- One three-bedroom unit that consists of two accessible rooms for people with disabilities and one caregiver room. Community Living BC will pay the monthly rent of $1,600.
Learn More:
A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available: 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.
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
This on BC Govt Website go to link here
