Port Moody Thursday, June 27, 2019 10:30 AM
Families and individuals in the Tri-Cities community will benefit from 55 new affordable rental homes as construction gets underway on redevelopment of a former church property.
The new development is a partnership between the Province, Catalyst Community Developments Society, St. Andrew’s-IOCO United Church, Kinsight and Share Family & Community Services Society.
“This affordable housing will offer welcome relief for families in the Tri-Cities region, especially families caring for children with disabilities, without losing the community space and services provided through the United Church,” said Rick Glumac, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam, on behalf of Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “It’s another successful partnership between the Province, local government, faith-based groups and the non-profit community to provide much-needed homes and create a connected, caring community.”
Located at 2318 St. Johns St. in Port Moody, The Springs will provide 55 new affordable homes for low- to moderate-income individuals and families. The building will have a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes operated by two non-profit societies — Catalyst Community Development and St. Andrew’s Port Moody Housing.
The site will also include space for the redeveloped St. Andrew’s-IOCO United Church and the new Tri-Cities Children’s Centre operated by Kinsight and Share Family & Community Services Society.
The Tri-Cities Children’s Centre will provide services and programming for families of children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Construction is underway and the building is expected to be complete by summer 2021.
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.
Quotes:
Meghan Lahti, acting mayor, City of Port Moody —
“Our council is committed to making sure housing in Port Moody meets the diverse and emerging needs of our current and future residents. We’re extremely pleased to support this new, innovative development through a grant from our Affordable Housing Reserve Fund, as we believe projects like The Springs will help to create a more liveable and inclusive community.”
Helen Lui, Catalyst Community Developments Society —
“The Springs is a great project that really highlights a community partnership and benefit. It allows the partners to deliver each of their core missions while coming together as a community.”
Julie Lebrun, minister for St. Andrew’s-IOCO United Church —
“By working with Catalyst and our other community partners, we are able to create much needed affordable rental housing. Together, we accomplish much more than any one organization working alone. This groundbreaking is a wonderful milestone. We look forward to opening the doors of our new church space and continue to live out our mission to serve the community under the new roof of The Springs building.”
Christine Scott, chief executive officer of Kinsight –
“Over the past 15 years, we have worked closely with families in the Tri-Cities to create a child development hub that brings together the services they require from organizations they trust. Together, Kinsight and Share have more than 100 years’ experience serving our community, and we look forward to joining our Springs partners to create a development that welcomes all people.”
Claire MacLean, Share Family & Community Services Society –
“The children’s centre will be a game changer for families living in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and surrounding areas. The centre will be a one-stop hub where families will feel welcomed, and where their children can get the specialized services and supports they need to reach their full potential.”
Quick Facts:
- The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $9.5 million in capital funding and construction financing for the project.
- The City of Port Moody provided $528,000 through the Port Moody Affordable Housing Reserve.
- The land, valued at $4.3 million, was provided by the BC Conference Property Development Council of the United Church of Canada and was the former site of St. Andrew’s United Church Port Moody.
- Projected rents for the new affordable housing units include four units offered at shelter rate – $375 per month for two studio units and two two-bedroom units at $750 per month. The remaining projected rent rates range from $1,069 to $1,751 per month.
- In addition to these 55 homes in Port Moody, the Province is working in partnership to increase the supply of affordable rental supply in the Tri-Cities through the Building BC funds. Nearly 400 homes are underway:
- Community Housing Fund: 376 mixed-income rental homes for individuals, families and seniors.
- Indigenous Housing Fund: 16 affordable rental homes for Indigenous peoples.
- Supportive Housing Fund: six supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness.
Learn More:
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
Read Homes for B.C., government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf
A map showing the location of all announced projects is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
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 20,000 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. To date, this includes:
Housing for middle-income earners (households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000) – approximately 2,460 homes:
- Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 1,500 rental homes for people with middle incomes.
- HousingHub: 960 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 that $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 2,100 homes for low to moderate incomes.
- Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: more than 1,150 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) – approximately 2,800 homes:
- Rapid Response to Homelessness: more than 2,000 homes with 24/7 support.
- Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: more than 550 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 20,400 homes
Media Contacts
Melanie Kilpatrick
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 698-9176
Laura Mathews
BC Housing
604 439-8571
