More than 300 new affordable rental homes coming to Vancouver Island

More than 300 new affordable rental homes coming to Vancouver Island
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Over 300 new affordable rental homes will be coming to Vancouver Island through the B.C. Government. The homes are a part of 2,455 homes coming to 39 communities in B.C. through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund (CHF).

The new rental homes will be designed for individuals, families, seniors, people with disabilities and Indigenous peoples.

The CHF says they support mixed-income buildings. These projects have:

  • 50 per cent of units for households with incomes up to $64,000
  • 30 per cent for incomes up to $74,000
  • 20 per cent for households with very low incomes, including for those on income or disability assistance.

“Every one of the affordable homes announced today are desperately needed and will change the life course for thousands of individuals and families in the decades ahead,” said Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association in a press release Friday. “The community housing sector looks forward to working with municipal partners to ensure these new homes are built as quickly as possible.”

A total of 354 homes will be coming to Vancouver Island through six projects. Two of the projects will be Indigenous-led and will create 75 homes, and four projects will be non-Indigenous-led and will create 279 homes.

The Indigenous-led projects will take place in two separate locations on the island:

  • 1679 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay: 40 homes for Indigenous peoples
  • 4210 Cedarwood Street, Port Alberni: 35 homes for Indigenous peoples

“The Aboriginal Management Housing Association (AMHA) is thrilled to see that out of the 47 projects approved for the CHF, 21 are Indigenous-led projects,” said Margaret Pfoh, CEO, AMHA in a press release Friday. “Indigenous housing issues require Indigenous solutions, and we congratulate each society for leading the change we need to see in our province. In order to move forward in reconciliation, it is crucial British Columbia continues to prioritize the unique housing barriers faced by Indigenous peoples.”

The non-Indigenous-led projects will be in four locations across the island:

  • 1582 Balmoral Avenue, Comox: 52 homes for seniors
  • Qualicum Way, Qualicum Beach: 56 homes for individuals, families and people with disabilities
  • 280 First Street, Duncan: 134 homes for seniors and people with disabilities
  • 351 Arnet Road, Tofino: 37 homes for individuals, families, seniors and people with disabilities

The CHF is a part of the province’s 10-year, $7 billion housing plan. The province says more than 8,600 homes are already open, under construction or in development.

READ MORE: New affordable housing raising concerns with neighbouring business

Justin WaddellJustin Waddell

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