Powell River Tuesday, September 1, 2020 9:00 AM
Construction is underway on over 40 new affordable rental homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities in Powell River.
The project is through a partnership between the Province and the Powell River Inclusive Housing Society (PRIHS).
“We know that there’s a real need for more affordable housing and people are struggling to stay in the communities they call home,” said Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. “These new homes will benefit the community for years to come, giving people good, safe and affordable homes close to their friends, family, work and the services they count on.”
Located on the 4800-4900 block of Ontario Avenue, the four-storey wood-frame apartment building will provide 42 new affordable homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities. The project will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, with four fully accessible two-bedroom homes. Residents will also have access to an indoor amenity space equipped with a communal kitchen, as well as a playground, a picnic area, a community garden and a basketball court.
“It’s really great news that construction is starting on this much needed development,” said Dave Formosa, mayor, Powell River. “The city has been proud to work with the B.C. government, BC Housing and Inclusion Powell River in seeing this project come to fruition and address the affordable housing needs of our community’s residents. Many thanks to all for making this happen.”
Monthly rents for the new homes will range from approximately $765 for a one-bedroom to $951 for a three-bedroom unit.
The affordable units will be managed by PRIHS (previously known as Inclusion Powell River Society), a local non-profit with experience managing affordable rental housing and success working with people living with disabilities.
“We are so excited that the construction has started and that we will be able to provide 42 units of affordable housing in about a year,” said Lilla Tipton, CEO, PRIHS. “This housing is very much needed in our community and will offer four fully accessible units for persons with physical disabilities. Now that this step is underway, we will be finalizing our operational policies and procedures and getting ready to interview our future tenants.”
These new homes are expected to open in fall 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 is investing approximately $16.1 million toward the project.
- Including these new affordable homes, there are more than 300 homes completed or underway on the Sunshine Coast:
- 118 homes for low to moderate income earners
- 115 homes for people experiencing homelessness
- 34 homes for women and their children leaving violence
- 34 on-reserve homes for Indigenous peoples, in partnership with the Shishalah First Nation
Learn More:
A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges
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 23,000 new homes are complete, 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 complete, under construction or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions
Total: 23,018 homes
This News on BC Govt Website go to the link here
