Seniors in West Vancouver are one step closer to more new affordable housing in their community after today's groundbreaking for the $44.8-million redevelopment of Kiwanis Garden Village. When complete, the site will feature more than 300 below-market priced apartments.

"Our government is helping to provide more affordable housing options for seniors in West Vancouver and across British Columbia," said John Weston, Member of Parliament for Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "The construction of Kiwanis Garden Village means more seniors can continue to live independently while remaining in and contributing to the community they call home."

"The Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver deserves to be congratulated on this much-needed seniors housing project," said Ralph Sultan, MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano. "Kiwanis has repeatedly demonstrated their experience and skill in leveraging available Kiwanis resources, and the financial resources of the provincial government, to build safe and affordable housing for seniors on the North Shore."

Kiwanis Garden Village, located on Haywood Ave., has been operating for more than five decades under the ownership and management of the Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver. In 1998, they sold a portion of the site to Vancouver Coastal Health to build the Kiwanis Manor, located at 959 - 21st St. in the southeast corner of the Kiwanis Garden Village lot.

This final phase of redevelopment replaces six recently demolished older residences and will see the construction of two wood-frame buildings with 139 new apartments of affordable seniors' housing. Extensive re-landscaping will tie the two new residences to the two existing buildings. In addition, there will be common amenity space including a multi-purpose room, a lounge, a kitchen and a meeting room/library.

"Kiwanis Garden Village has been a cornerstone of our community for many decades," said Mayor Michael Smith of the District of West Vancouver. "I look forward to seeing this redevelopment progress and create these beautiful new homes for West Vancouver seniors. We congratulate Kiwanis for their great community work."

The Government of Canada provided a $10,000 SEED funding grant and a $10,000 SEED funding loan through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The Province of British Columbia will provide approximately $16.3 million in financing. The District of West Vancouver waived fees and charges of approximately $870,000 in support of the project. The Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver provided $8.6 million in equity as well as the land, valued at approximately $19 million.

"Today is a proud day not only for our society, but also for seniors in our entire community," said Bob Heaslip, president of the Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society. "I want to thank all the partners who have made this possible. Together we are building a better future for seniors living in West Vancouver."

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. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org

The Kiwanis Seniors Housing Society of West Vancouver has a mandate to establish and maintain affordable housing for the community's low-income seniors. To find out more about Kiwanis Garden Village, visit: www.westvankiwanishousing.org

Media contacts:

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
604 737-4064

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789
604 417-5791

Jessica Delaney
District of West Vancouver
604 925-4736
604 360-8131 (cell)

Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482