The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, celebrated the one-year anniversary of Dahli Place in Victoria today. This 68-unit affordable rental housing development - steps away from the Gorge Waterway - benefits 96 residents with low-to-moderate incomes, who need affordable rental housing.

The development provides tenants with easy access to amenities such as shopping, public transit and parks, creating a vibrant community. Located at 35 Gorge Road East, Dahli Place features a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Quick facts:

• The governments of Canada and B.C. provided a combined investment of $500,000 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 recently extended until 2019 - www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2014/2014-03-04-1530.cfm
• The Government of Canada also provided a $10,000 Seed Grant and $10,000 Seed Loan as well as Proposal Development Funding of $100,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
• The B.C. government also arranged $10.2 million in long-term financing.
• The City of Victoria provided $680,000 in equity.
• The Capital Regional District’s Regional Housing Trust Fund provided $816,000.
• The Greater Victoria Housing Society manages Dahli Place and provided $275,000 in equity plus the equity generated through the sales of the five private market townhomes on the neighbouring site.

Quotes:

The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) —

“Our government is giving a hand-up to those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this project here in Victoria. Dahli Place plays a vital role in the community and is more than just a safe and affordable place to live; it is the key to a better life for the people who will call it home.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing —

“This celebration demonstrates our government’s ongoing commitment to create more affordable housing options for British Columbians both here in Victoria and throughout the province. Together with community partners, including the Greater Victoria Housing Society, we are delivering positive results.”

Mayor Lisa Helps, City of Victoria -

“There’s a growing need for more affordable housing in the city and we are proud to celebrate Dahli Place as an important step in meeting this need. Dahli Place is already a big part of this vibrant community and I’d like to thank all involved for making these homes a reality for today’s residents and for future residents in the decades to come.”

Charlayne Thornton-Joe, chair of the CRD Regional Housing Trust Fund -

“The development of more affordable housing in the Capital Region is an important priority for the CRD and that was why we invested $816,000 through our Regional Trust Fund towards this project. I can already see what a positive addition this project is to this community and I am proud that we were involved.”

Ian Batey, chair of the board of directors, Greater Victoria Housing Society -

“The Greater Victoria Housing Society is pleased to celebrate both the opening anniversary and the naming of the one year anniversary of Dahli Place today with like-minded government agencies to ensure that those in need of affordable rental housing in this community have access to it and we look forward to many more projects like this to come.”

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 $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, nearly 102,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• In 2014-15, the B.C. government invested over $19.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for nearly 5,100 Victoria households. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org
• Established in 1956, the Greater Victoria Housing Society is a non-profit society and registered charity dedicated to providing affordable rental housing to those in need residing in the Greater Victoria community.

Stay connected:

• Follow CMHC on Twitter: @CMHCca (twitter.com)
• Follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC (twitter.com) Housing (twitter.com)

Media Contacts:

Sonia Fecteau
CMHC
604 737-4072

Rajvir Rao
BC Housing
604 439-8583