More accessible and affordable homes coming to Nanaimo

 

 

Nanaimo Thursday, July 18, 2019 10:45 AM

New affordable rental homes are on the way that will provide more accessible housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

“Providing homes for people with disabilities is a priority for our government,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “We’re proud to support this project, which will give more people in Nanaimo the homes, services and community support they need.”

The Province is providing $4.9 million to the Nanaimo Association for Community Living to build 28 town homes that are affordable for people with low incomes and accessible for members of the community living with developmental disabilities.

“This is a wonderful response to a very specific and real need in our community for suitable housing that simply isn’t available,” said Leonard Krog, mayor of Nanaimo.

Located at 3425 Uplands Dr., the building will provide 12 accessible rental homes at $500 per month. The remaining homes include a live-in manager’s suite and 14 one-bedroom homes that are projected to rent for $880 per month.

A group kitchen and dining room, along with a social lounge, will create opportunities for residents to enhance life skills and encourage all residents to gather for weekly dinners.

“Community Living BC recognizes the importance of individuals with developmental disabilities having access to inclusive, affordable housing in welcoming communities,” said Lynn Davies, interim CEO, Community Living BC. “This development is a great example of government and service providers working together to create homes that will see people with diverse abilities living as neighbours with people from all walks of life.”

Funded by Community Living BC, the Nanaimo Association for Community Living has served people with developmental disabilities for nearly 30 years.

“Nanaimo Association for Community Living is very proud to be partnering with the Government of B.C. to develop much-needed housing for people with developmental disabilities and others in need of subsidized housing,” said Graham Morry, executive director, Nanaimo Association for Community Living. “This integrated housing model will facilitate the creation of a harmonious community consisting of diverse tenants, which will be a shining example of community living at its best.”

People are expected to move into their new homes in summer 2020.

This project is part of more than 21,000 new homes completed or underway in nearly 80 communities as a result of provincial investments. The Province is tackling the housing crisis in British Columbia by increasing supply, curbing demand and cracking down on fraud in real estate.

Delivering affordable housing is a shared commitment between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is a part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quick Facts:

  • Funding for the 28 new affordable rental homes in Nanaimo:
    • Nanaimo Association for Community Living is receiving $4.9 million from the Province.
    • The association is providing land for the project, plus $95,000 in municipal waivers from the City of Nanaimo and $10,000 from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
  • The Province is working in partnership to increase the supply of affordable rental housing in Nanaimo with more than 850 homes completed or underway:
    • Community Housing Fund: 195 affordable rental homes for individuals, families and seniors;
    • Women’s Transition Housing Fund: 10-bed women’s transition house;
    • Supportive Housing Fund: 164 supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness;
    • Affordable Rental Housing Program: 159 affordable rental homes for seniors;
    • Deepening Affordability Fund: 85 affordable rental homes for low-income people and those with developmental disabilities; and
    • Housing Hub: 243 homes.
  • Launched in 2018, the Province’s housing plan outlines the largest investment in affordable housing in B.C.’s history — more than $7 billion over 10 years. Through this investment, the Province will work in partnership to create 114,000 new, affordable homes.

Learn More:

View a map of all announced government-funded housing projects in B.C.: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

For a snapshot of progress on B.C.’s 10-year housing plan, 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 21,000 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. To date, this includes:

Housing for middle-income earners (households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000) – approximately 3,260 homes:

  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 1,500 rental homes for people with middle incomes.
  • HousingHub: approximately 1,760 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 9,200 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: more than 1,160 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off-reserve.
  • Regional Housing First Program: more than 600 homes for people with low to moderate incomes.

Housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (shelter-rate housing) – more than 2,900 homes:

  • Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,064 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: nearly 690 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Regional Housing First Program: more than 170 homes for those ready to live independently with supports.

Housing for women and children leaving violence – approximately 340 homes:

  • Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: approximately 340 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 21,300 homes

 

This on BC Govt website go to the link here

 

Their video taken from twitter announcement of this housing project in  Nanaimo can click here

 

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