Seniors in need of affordable housing will soon have access to 296 new rental apartments in Richmond's city centre with the official groundbreaking today for Kiwanis Towers.

This project was made possible through a partnership between government, the private sector and community organizations.

The new development, located at 6291 Minoru Blvd., will include two 15-storey highrise buildings for affordable rental housing for seniors with low-to-moderate incomes. Once complete, Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society will own and manage the seniors' development.

Project partners and funding:

• The Government of Canada provided Proposal Development Funding of $100,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
• The B.C. government will provide approximately $19.7 million in construction financing.
• The City of Richmond will contribute up to $20.8 million over five years from current and future allocations to the City's Affordable Housing Reserve to assist with construction. A further contribution of approximately $3.3 million will come from the City to cover development cost charges, service cost charges and municipal permit fees. In addition, the City will continue to assist in the development of a tenant management plan to address operations as well as tenant wellness and management programming.
• Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society provided approximately $21 million in proceeds from selling land to the developer for the adjoining market housing site.
• Polygon Minoru Affordable Seniors Homes Ltd. is contracted to provide development and construction services.

The site formerly contained a 122-unit seniors' housing complex owned and managed by Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society since 1961. The society worked with those tenants to help them find appropriate housing. Tenants who relocated will have the right to move into the new development.

The new buildings will more than double the number of affordable units originally on the site as well as offer indoor and outdoor space for tenant programs. Construction is estimated to be complete spring 2015 for the first seniors' building and fall 2015 for the second. The society will begin taking applications for new tenants in fall 2014.

Quotes:

Rob Howard, MLA for Richmond Centre-

"This project was created through an innovative partnership involving all levels of government, Polygon and Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society which will result in 296 new affordable housing units in Richmond."

"This is an example of how our government is working in different ways to help create affordable, self-sustaining housing for British Columbians in greatest need. I would like to congratulate the society and thank them for providing affordable housing for seniors in Richmond over the last 50 years."

Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East -

"In Richmond, we are taking action to provide more affordable housing for seniors in our community. This is why we are partnering with other levels of government, the private sector and the Richmond Kiwanis Senior Housing Society to create 296 new units for those in greatest need. These seniors will also benefit from easy access to transit, shopping and recreation."

John Yap, MLA for Richmond Steveston -

"This new $60-million affordable housing development, will more than double the number of affordable units originally on the site as well as offer indoor and outdoor space for tenant programs. It's great to see a collaboration of all levels of government to make this project possible. I am excited for seniors in our community benefit from this new development."

Mayor Malcolm Brodie, City of

"This project addresses major community needs in Richmond by supporting our aging population and expanding our inventory of affordable housing. We have now secured commitments to create over 1,700 affordable housing units since council adopted the Affordable Housing Strategy in 2007 and made it a top priority."

"We realize the City cannot solve housing affordability and aging population needs alone, however; when various levels of government, non-profit and private sector work together toward a common goal, success stories such as Kiwanis Towers can be achieved."

Peter So, president, Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society -

"Our society has been providing affordable housing for seniors at this site for over 50 years and, through this new development, we will be able to continue providing affordable housing for elderly citizens for decades to come. We would like to thank all levels of government and Polygon who have made this project viable for our society."

Neil Chrystal, president and CEO of Polygon Homes -

"Over three years ago, we embarked on a journey with Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society to redevelop their site. Today we are thrilled to see this project break ground along with all partners. We appreciate and value the confidence that the Society has in us to work with them on this project."

Quick Facts:

• An adjoining site will also include a three building, market housing project with 335 condominiums called Carrara, which are being marketed and will be built by Polygon Homes Ltd. 
• The Kiwanis Towers project will include 296 one-bedroom apartments, each at an average of 56 square metres (600 square feet), programmable amenity space, landscaped outdoor space, patio areas and community gardens. The buildings will include sustainable architectural design features and is located within close proximity to Minoru Park, transit, recreational facilities, services and shopping.
• In 2011-12, the B.C. government invested over $9 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 3,400 Richmond households.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.2 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 97,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• This project addresses major priorities of the City of Richmond's Affordable Housing Strategy. Since Council adopted the strategy in 2007, the City has secured commitments to create over 1,700 affordable housing units in Richmond.
• The City of Richmond's Affordable Housing Strategy, introduced in 2007, recognizes the importance of ensuring that all residents have access to suitable and appropriate housing with the necessary community supports to serve the needs of a diverse population.

Learn More:

To learn more about affordable housing in B.C., visit: www.bchousing.org

About the City of Richmond's:

• Affordable Housing Strategy: http://www.richmond.ca/plandev/socialplan/housing/strategy.htm
• Social Development Strategy: http://www.richmond.ca/plandev/socialplan/strategy.htm

To learn more about Polygon Homes, visit www.polyhomes.com

Contacts:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445 

Ted Townsend
City of Richmond
604 276-4399