A new building opening up in Saanich will provide affordable housing for 73 low-to-moderate income families, individuals, seniors, and adults with disabilities.
“Affordable housing is needed in our community now more than ever,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South. “These 73 new homes will make a big difference and provide security and peace of mind for the people who will call this building home.”
The new homes are the product of a partnership between the Province, the Capital Regional District (CRD) and the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC).
“The District of Saanich is delighted to be stepping up again with BC Housing and the CRD to enable more affordable homes,” said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. “From the wonderful opportunities for co-op housing right through to homes, we are proud to be part of providing this support.”
Located at 3816 Carey Rd, Westview is a four-storey, wood-frame building with 73 units comprised of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.
Westview is located near community facilities, retail areas as well as transit.
Residents will begin moving in on May 15.
Move-in dates have been staggered to make sure residents will have minimal contact with each other in the building amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 15 of the homes will be for people with very low incomes that will be rented at the provincial income assistance rate, and 29 will be rent-geared-to-income units, where people with low to moderate incomes will pay 30 pe rcent of their income. An additional 29 units will be rented at affordable rates.
The CRHC will own and operate the building and is partnering with the Independent Living Housing Society to provide five fully accessible ground-floor units, as well as an office for the society’s programming. The society will select residents for the five designated accessible units.
“Finding a place to live can be particularly challenging for people with disabilities especially when accessible housing is a necessary requirement, said Heidi Bada, board of directors president for the Independent Living Housing Society. “This housing development provides an opportunity for us to support more people with disabilities to make a home in this community.”
The CRHC is also partnering with Threshold Housing Society to provide two units to youth at risk of homelessness.
“There is a desperate need for safe and affordable housing options for at-risk youth in our community, and this project is helping to address that critical need,” explained Colin Tessier, executive director of the Threshold Housing Society.
“Youth housed at Westview will receive robust support services and access to positive community through the Threshold support program. Access to safe housing and appropriate supports for at-risk youth is a key strategy for preventing future instances of adult homelessness.”
Including these 73 homes, the province is working in partnership to build more than 3,330 new affordable homes for people with a range of incomes in the CRD.
The CRHC is working on various projects across the city and has recently proposed a large affordable rental housing development near Victoria High School.
A map of all provincially-funded housing projects in B.C. is available online.
Rebecca Lawrence
