Five non-profit housing societies have been selected to develop new affordable housing in downtown Richmond that is being built through a partnership between the Province and the City.

Turning Point Housing Society, Atira Women’s Resource Society, Coast Mental Health, S.U.C.C.E.S.S Housing Society and Tikva Housing Society were selected as the result of a joint submission for an Expression of Interest call issued in March 2011. The Expression of Interest included an extensive evaluation process carried out by a committee with representatives from BC Housing and the City of Richmond.

The new development, with an estimated 130 units, will be located on a city-owned site at 8111 Granville Ave./8080 Anderson Rd. and offer a mix of affordable rental housing units as well as community amenity space. It is expected to be complete by spring 2015.

This project addresses major priorities of City of Richmond’s Affordable Housing Strategy. As it is still in the early planning stages, the level of provincial contribution will be determined later in the process, once the plans and the full scope of the project are developed and proven viable.

The City of Richmond will contribute the city-owned site through a long-term lease to the societies at a nominal rate, in addition to specific city expertise, expedited review and process, and financial support.

The Province, City of Richmond and the non-profit housing societies led by Turning Point Housing Society will now work together to fully develop the plan for construction and services to be offered at the development. The public will be invited to provide input on the architectural form and character as part of the City’s development permit process.

Quotes:

Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing -

“This is the first time that five well-established non-profit housing societies have come together to build and manage one development. What they all bring to the table in terms of experience, skills and knowledge will make this unique collaboration a well-rounded operational model and ensure the success of this development.”

Rob Howard, MLA for Richmond Centre -

“The community of Richmond will greatly benefit from the creation of more affordable housing options. Partnering with levels of government and non-profit housing providers is a way to leverage on skills and knowledge to create new viable housing projects for families and individuals.”

Mayor Malcolm Brodie, City of Richmond -

“Housing affordability is a major issue in Richmond and our region. Through our Affordable Housing Strategy, the City of Richmond can apply its resources to ensure our city offers a complete spectrum of housing choices for all income levels and needs.”

“We recognize that the City of Richmond is not able to solve the housing affordability needs alone. However we are able to assist in solutions through partnerships with local groups, senior levels of government and private sector. This proposed project is an innovative example of this kind of partnership.”

Brenda Plant, executive director, Turning Point Housing Society -

“The five non-profit housing providers that partnered to develop and manage this proposed building all have one common goal - to increase access to safe, affordable housing for low-income individuals.”

“I would like to express our commitment to the Richmond community to provide transparency throughout the planning process. We are all excited to be partnering on this innovative and unique collaborative effort to address the affordable housing needs of Richmond’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 95,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

• In 2010-11, the Province invested approximately $16 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 3,200 low-income households in Richmond.

• The City of Richmond’s Affordable Housing Strategy, introduced in 2007, recognizes the importance of ensuring that all resident have access to suitable and appropriate housing with the necessary community supports to serve the needs of a diverse population.

Learn More:

About provincial housing programs: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives

City of Richmond’s affordable housing strategy: www.richmond.ca/services/socialplan/housing/strategy.htm

To learn more about the Housing Societies involved:

• Turning Point Housing Society: www.turningpointrecovery.com

• Atira Women’s Resource Society: www.atira.bc.ca

• Coast Mental Health: www.coastmentalhealth.com

• S.U.C.C.E.S.S Multi-Level Care Society: www.successbc.ca

• Tikva Housing Society: www.tikvahousing.org

Media Contacts:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Kim Decker
Corporate Communications Officer
City of Richmond
604 276-4371
kdecker@richmond.ca