Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver is on the path to begin building its first housing project in Coquitlam next year.
Spokesperson Steph Baker confirms to the Tri-City News the 42 townhomes on Burke Mountain will be completed in two stages over an expected three-year span once the organization's development and building permits are approved by the city.
She says the non-profit hopes to be "actively excavating" in early 2023, with the intent to finish the first 18 units in under two years.
"Some of the timeline will be interconnected with the developer work to the south of our property," Baker says, noting online pre-screening forms for eligible families will be ready "later this year."
As of this publication (Aug. 13), Baker encourages those interested in applying for a unit to frequently check Habitat's website to see when the process begins
The goal of the townhouse complex, said to be Habitat Greater Vancouver's largest regional project to date, is to give low-income families the chance to achieve homeownership and self-reliance.
The Coquitlam homes are set to be built at 1358 Coast Meridian Rd. — located on Burke Mountain just east of Millard Orchard Park.
It's also part of the city's strategy to get hardworking families into affordable living by choosing to build the complex in "an established healthy neighbourhood."
Another generous donation
The news follows a recent $75,000 donation announcement for the Tri-Cities project from an Abbotsford-based company that specializes in retractable door screens.
Phantom Screens announced its contribution to Habitat for Humanity in alignment with its 30-year anniversary celebration.
"According to a report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., 570,000 new homes in B.C. are required by 2030 to restore any semblance of affordability," the business explains.
"Phantom Screens has been making life better for homeowners across North America and giving back to the community is something the organization feels very passionate about."
In November 2021, Quantum Properties, also from Abbotsford, presented a donation cheque for $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity's Coquitlam project.
Habitat says its latest development also represents incremental growth for the Greater Vancouver affiliate and, when completed, will bring its to-date regional housing total to approximately 500 families and more than 1,500 children.
The organization is also getting funds from all levels of government to help build the Coast Meridian homes.
"We are grateful for the significant contributions of several companies who have already stepped up to support his project," adds Baker in her statement to the Tri-City News.
"Over the next three years we will be actively working with the Tri-City community and beyond, to raise the funds to build these homes, generate donations of goods and services for the project through partnerships, and engage individual and groups of volunteers."
For more information, you can visit Habitat for Humanity's website.
