Governments to spend $90 million to build more than 2,000 rental units in Greater Victoria

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WATCH: An ambitious housing plan was announced today for the Capital Region. The massive $90 million investment will result in more than 2,000 new rental units and dozens of new apartment buildings. The money’s coming from all three levels of government with a goal of finally ending chronic homelessness in the region for good. Tess van Straaten reports.

The Capital Regional District, along with the federal and provincial governments, has announced a $90-million partnership to build more than 2,000 rental units in Greater Victoria in an effort to end chronic homelessness.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Jean-Yves Duclos, federal minister of families, children and social development and the minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Selina Robinson, B.C. minister of municipal affairs and housing; and Capital Regional District (CRD) board chairman Steve Price in Victoria. It is one of the first announcements to come out of the federal government’s National Housing Strategy.

According to officials, more than 2,000 rental units will be built. More than 1,000 of those units will be affordable units and 400 units will be rented at shelter rates. A mixed-marked approach will allow the shelter-rate units to be rented for only $375 a month without ongoing subsidies.

?Thanks to today?s investment and our collaboration with partners at the provincial and municipal levels, we?re going to make homelessness history in Victoria,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, the minister of families, children and social development.

“In Canada?s first-ever National Housing Strategy, our government made a commitment to reduce chronic homeless across the country by 50 per cent, and to work with partners at all levels to give more Canadians a place to call home. Today?s announcement shows those two pillars of the strategy in action.”

The money for the developments is split evenly between the federal, provincial and regional governments at $30 million each. The exact locations for the developments will be decided at a later date. Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said 30 to 40 new buildings will be built in the Capital Regional District.

CRD Board Chair Steve Price said housing affordability and availability is a critical issue in the capital region and requires a strong regional response.

“The CRD is thrilled that both the province and now the Government of Canada have joined in this important effort to significantly impact homelessness in the region and allow us to deliver more critical housing units,” Price said.

Thursday’s announcement took place during the official opening of phase two of  Seim Lelum, which is a 41-unit affordable housing complex on Gorge Road East for Indigenous people at risk of becoming homeless. Phase one included the renovation of a former hotel to provide 26 units, while phase 2 was the construction of a standalone 15-unit building on the property, bringing the total to 41 homes.

The National Housing Strategy, through the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund, is providing $208.3 million over five years for projects that showcase new funding models and innovative building techniques, lowering the costs and risks of financing affordable housing projects and helping to make the affordable housing sector more attractive for private market developers and investors.

Jean-Yves Duclos, the minister of families, children and social development, makes an announcement about funding rental housing in Victoria, B.C. (Justin McElroy/CBC).

Jean-Yves Duclos, the minister of families, children and social development, makes an announcement about funding rental housing in Victoria, B.C. (Justin McElroy/CBC).

Alexa HuffmanAlexa Huffman

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