Coquitlam is on the list — three times — for new provincial cash to help build more rental stock in the city for families and seniors.
Today, March 19, Victoria announced money for 17 new housing projects in Metro Vancouver, Bowen Island and Bella Coola as part of its third intake of the Building BC: Community Housing Fund (CHF), providing nearly 2,000 more rental units with nonprofit organizations.
The three Coquitlam projects are at:
- 290 Laval Sq., Maillardville
- 602 Sydney Ave., Lower Lougheed
- two S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Affordable Housing Society buildings with a total of 158 homes
- 708 Farrow St., Burquitlam
- a partnership with Vancouver Resource Communities Society to create 21 homes (across the road from the Burquitlam Plaza mall)
The provincial government announced the funding in Surrey at the future site of an affordable housing project to be run by the Kekinow Native Housing Society.
Since it launched in 2018, the $3.3-billion CHF program has funded construction for 12,500 rental homes around B.C. Its target is at least 20,000 new rental units by 2031–32.
Under the program, residents of 70 per cent of the suites pay rent geared to their income.
In a news release, NDP MLA Fin Donnelly (Coquitlam–Burke Mountain) stated the new housing is especially needed for Coquitlam seniors.
“We can’t overlook their needs, and projects like this are essential to ensure they’re not left behind,” he said.
Jill Atkey, CEO of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, said she’s encouraged nonprofits are partnering with governments to get more shovels in the ground.
“The rental housing crisis touches every corner of British Columbia, and we’re thrilled to see that non-profits in Metro Vancouver will soon be constructing more than 1,900 new affordable rental homes,” she said in the release.
“These homes are critical for British Columbians experiencing affordability challenges today, but importantly, they will also be home to thousands more in the generations to come. But our work is not done, and we will continue to push every government to increase investment into safe, secure and affordable housing.”
17 new rental projects
- Bella Coola, Anukaliakuulhla Mnmntni, Bella Coola IR1
- 20 homes for Indigenous elders, in partnership with the Nuxalk Nation
- Bowen Island, 1033 Miller Rd.
- 24 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Lookout Housing and Health Society
- Burnaby, 4170 James St.
- 118 homes for individuals, families and seniors, in partnership with the New Vista Society
- Burnaby, 7000 Lougheed Hwy.
- 66 homes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families and seniors, in partnership with M'akola Housing Society
- Burnaby, 3755 McGill St.
- 48 homes for seniors, in partnership with Action Line Housing Society
- Coquitlam, 290 Laval Square and 602 Sydney Ave.
- 158 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Affordable Housing Society
- Coquitlam, 708 Farrow St.
- 21 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with VRS Communities Society
- Delta, 1050 54 A St.
- 144 homes for seniors, in partnership with KinVillage
- Delta, 4603 Evergreen Ln.
- 138 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Affordable Housing Non-Profit Rental Association
- District of North Vancouver, Old Lillooet Rd.
- 166 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with More Than a Roof Housing Society
- Maple Ridge, 22534, 22548, 22566 Royal Cres.
- 98 homes for seniors, in partnership with the New Vista Society
- New Westminster, 1923 and 1927 Marine Way
- 77 homes for young adults and women at risk of homelessness, in partnership with Aunt Leah's Properties
- Surrey, 9537 Prince Charles Blvd.
- 62 homes for seniors, in partnership with Kekinow Native Housing Society
- Vancouver, 293 East 11th Ave.
- 370 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Coast Foundation Society
- Vancouver, 625 Pacific St.
- 194 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with More Than a Roof Housing Society
- Vancouver, 525 Powell St.
- 156 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with PHS Community Services Society
- Vancouver, 405 Jackson Ave.
- 94 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with ALT Jackson Housing Society
