The B.C. government has announced that construction will be starting soon on a four-story, 46-unit apartment building with affordable units.
Located at 4450 Maitland St., the apartment building will have one, two and three-bedroom units, ranging from those on income assistance to those with incomes up to $113,040.
Monthly rents will be a mix of subsidized and affordable market rents. Rents are projected to range from $375 to $1,250 per month. Nine units will be for people with very low incomes (mostly residents on income assistance), ranging from $375 to $660 per month. Twenty-two apartments will be rent-geared-to-income units for people with low to moderate incomes ($33,000 to $48,500), approximately $532 to $761 per month. And fifteen will be affordable market units for people with moderate incomes ($74,150 to $113,040), approximately $840 to $1,250 per month.
The $15.8 million building is a result of a partnership between the Province and the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society (ALEHS). The province provided $4.6 million to the project through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund and will provide up to $200,000 in annual operating funding.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided $2 million through the Federal Bilateral Canada Community Housing Initiative Grant and $1.5 million through the National Housing Strategy Co-Investment Fund. And the City of Port Alberni contributed $112,000 in municipal waivers.
ALEHS provided the land, valued at $350,000.
“I am so excited to see this project moving forward as we continue to make investments in the affordable housing people in our community need,” Scott Fraser, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim, said in a statement.
“The mix of subsidized and affordable rentals will benefit a wide range of people in our community, while the passive design will help ensure heating and utility costs also remain affordable for residents. Thank you to our partners, the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society, for their hard work and dedication on this project.”
ALEHS will own and operate the building. The society is focused on developing low-energy housing and the building will aim to meet the energy efficiency requirements necessary to achieve a passive house certification. Passive house buildings consume up to 90 per cent less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.
“The board of the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society is extremely pleased to provide highly energy efficient and superior quality housing for people with financial challenges,” Mike Ruttan, board chair, Alberni Low Energy Housing Society, said in a statement.
“This project will be for the whole range of demographics within our city: seniors, youth, children and families. It’s one that we believe people will be proud to live in and call home. We aim to create a sense of community where everyone works to create a sense of belonging and co-operation. This project would not have been possible without the support of BC Housing and its belief in our vision.”
Construction is expected to start in September and the homes are expected to open in fall 2021.
A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/
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