A special project to put a roof over the heads of single-moms, women-headed households and their families is taking shape in Port Coquitlam.
Construction for the Alex, an 83-unit non-market housing development, is well underway.
And when it’s complete in late 2022, it will serve residents of Port Coquitlam as well as its own tenants, council was told Tuesday (June 22).
“Helping to lift women and single women households out of poverty is excellent,” noted Coun. Nancy McCurrach.
The development, located at 2117 Prairie Ave., will also house a child care centre for 45 children as well as a health clinic with eight doctors.
Coun. Steve Darling suggested the clinic include maternity doctors because it's an area of deep need in the city.
The child care and health care services will be available to all residents of Port Coquitlam not just Alex residents, and will help meet the health and child care needs of the entire city, council was told.
“I’m really excited to see the project moving forward and getting completed,” said Coun. Darrell Penner, who acknowledged Coun. Glen Pollock for starting discussions on getting the project started.
During the meeting, council agreed to give the Atira Women’s Resource Society $83,000 from its Special Needs Housing Reserve to help it reduce costs and keep rents low.
Projected monthly rents at the Alex will range between $375 and $1,550.
As well, council recommended Atira apply for a tax exemption, available to registered charities that can demonstrate that at least 75% of the services of their organization are open to and used by residents of Port Coquitlam.
The project is being built on on lands owned by Metro Vancouver which have been secured through a 60-year no-cost land lease and BC Housing has provided mortgages and forgivable loans to construct the project.
Atira anticipates that it will cost $28 million to build the project.
More information about Atira housing is available here.
