The governments of Canada and B.C., along with community partners, celebrated the official opening of the redeveloped Kitsilano Neighbourhood House in Vancouver today.

Located at 2305 West 7th Ave., the redevelopment project includes 15 new units of affordable seniors’ rental housing, a 25-space child-care centre and an expanded community space. The seniors housing component, Red Oak Place, features a roof-top community garden and amenity space for residents.

The LEED Gold redevelopment included the renovation of two heritage buildings as well as a new addition, Red Oak Place, linking the two existing buildings. The Neighbourhood House and the child-care centre are located in the heritage buildings and were upgraded to meet expanded needs.

Quick Facts:

• The governments of Canada and B.C. provided a combined investment of over $4.5 million towards the 15 affordable apartments for seniors through the Federal-Provincial Housing initiative - www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/FPHi - under the Canada-B.C. Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 - www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2011/2011-07-04-0930.cfm - which was extended until 2019 - www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2014/2014-03-04-1530.cfm 
• The B.C. government provided approximately $5.2 million towards the Neighbourhood House component and approximately $488,000 through the Ministry of Children and Family Development towards the child-care centre.
• The Province also provided $150,000 through the Ministry of Energy and Mines’ Super Efficient New Construction program, which is co-managed by Fortis BC.
• The City of Vancouver contributed $1.6 million and waived $136,697 in development cost charges.
• The Kitsilano Neighbourhood House not-for-profit organization donated the land valued at $6.4 million. For a complete list of program information please visit: www.kitshouse.org/programs

Quotes:

Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South - on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) -

“I am delighted to see that the redevelopment of Kitsilano Neighbourhood House is complete. This project will not only bring more affordable housing for seniors to Vancouver, but it will also play a vital role for the families and children in this community.”

Andrew Wilkinson, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, Minister of Advanced Education -

“The Kitsilano Neighbourhood House has been the heart of the community for years, which is why the Province is pleased to have invested in its redevelopment. The new complex allows the society to update its programs and services for people of all ages and to add much needed affordable housing for seniors.”

Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver -

“Neighbourhood Houses are vital contributors to the strength of our communities and the services that our residents rely on. With 25 new child-care spaces and 15 new units of affordable rental housing for seniors, the City of Vancouver’s investment in the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House reflects our commitment to keep building a Vancouver that includes young families, seniors, and residents of all backgrounds.”

Tamara Little, board chair, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House -

“Kitsilano Neighbourhood House serves residents of the West Side by improving their quality of life and providing programs and services that most meet their needs. The community told us they needed affordable seniors housing and child-care programs, and we responded. We couldn't have done it without our government, donors and community partners, who helped make the redevelopment a reality.”

Associated Links:

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), invests approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve 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. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, nearly 100,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

Last year, the B.C. government invested over $112 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 26,000 Vancouver households. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, a member of the Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC, is a registered non-profit, charity organization dedicated to meeting the needs of those most vulnerable as well as providing an opportunity for everybody in the community to get together and be engaged. Kits House offers many different programs like volunteer-led English Conversation Circles, weekly hot lunches for seniors, childcare and much more. It is the only Neighbourhood House on the Westside and serves many different communities like Kitsilano, Dunbar, Arbutus Ridge and Point Grey. For more information, please visit: www.kitshouse.org

Stay Connected:

Follow CMHC on Twitter: @CMHC_ca (twitter.com)

Follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC_Housing (twitter.com)

Connect with the Government of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

Media Contacts:

Elaine McKay
BC Housing
778 452-6476

Sonia Fecteau
CMHC
604 737-4072

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
604 871-6336
media@vancouver.ca