The newly redeveloped Kiwanis Garden Village officially opened today with more than 300 affordable apartments for seniors in West Vancouver.

Under the redevelopment project:

• Six older buildings with 51 units were torn down and replaced with two wood-frame buildings providing 139 new apartments;
• There was extensive landscaping that included a central courtyard with scenic garden plots that link the buildings; and
• Community space that includes a Great Hall multi-purpose room, a lounge, a kitchen and a meeting room/library.

Kiwanis Garden Village, located at 999 - 21st St., West Vancouver, has been operating for over 50 years under the ownership and management of the Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society of West Vancouver.

Funding for the redevelopment was provided by:

• The Government of Canada contributed $20,000 in SEED funding and Proposal Development Funding of $100,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
• The Government of British Columbia allocated approximately $16.3 million in long-term financing.
• The District of West Vancouver waived fees and charges of an estimated $870,000 in support of the project.
• The Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society of West Vancouver committed $8.6 million in equity as well as the land, valued at approximately $19 million.

Quotes:

John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of Minister of State (Social Development), the Honourable Candice Bergen - 

“Seniors built our country and have contributed so much to our way of life. I’m proud of our Government’s investment to ensure that even more seniors will be able to live in the redeveloped Kiwanis Garden Village and enjoy this beautiful facility.”

Ralph Sultan, MLA for Capilano - 

“The Province was pleased to support this housing redevelopment that adds 88 new units of affordable housing for seniors in West Vancouver. I want to thank the Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society for all their hard work in bringing this project together. Through their efforts, seniors from West Vancouver can stay in the community they love, close to family and friends now and into the future.”

Mayor Michael Smith, District of West Vancouver - 

“On behalf of our District Council, I’d like to congratulate the Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society of West Vancouver on their official opening of the new buildings. This newly renovated housing site will meet the housing needs of many seniors and will continue to be of great value to our community.”

Bob Heaslip, president, Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society of West Vancouver - 

“Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society was established when our predecessors saw a need for affordable seniors housing in West Vancouver and committed themselves to serving this need. Nearly 70 years later, we have expanded our portfolio to include a total of 303 modern and below market rental housing units for seniors. 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.”

Quick Facts:

• Annually, the Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 600,000 households living in existing social housing. In British Columbia, this represents an estimated 67,350 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.
• Since 2001, the Government of B.C. has invested $3.6 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 98,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• In 2012-13, the B.C. government invested nearly $1.5 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for close to 700 households in West Vancouver.
• The Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society of West Vancouver has a mandate to establish and maintain affordable housing for the community’s low-income seniors.

Learn More:

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, visit: CMHC.ca

Information on the Community Partnership Initiative: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Financing/CPI

To find out more about the Kiwanis Seniors Housing and Community Services Society of West Vancouver, visit: www.westvankiwanishousing.org

Media Contacts:

Lauren Brent
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
819 953-2352

Elaine McKay
BC Housing
778 452-6476

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064