Provincial funding of $4 million will bring new affordable homes for seniors with low to moderate incomes at a new housing development in Langley.

Following the September 2016 announcement of a $500-million investment in affordable rental housing, the B.C. government has selected Catalyst Community Developments Society and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church to receive the capital funding toward an 82-unit housing project in the community.

The society and the church are partnering to build a new affordable rental housing complex for seniors on a portion of the church’s land that is currently vacant.

Once complete, the building will provide safe and comfortable homes for seniors in need of affordable housing, allowing them to live independently in the community. In addition, some of the rental homes will be available for low-to moderate-income families.

The project is in the early stages. BC Housing will work with the society and the church to fully develop the project plans and ensure the proper rezoning and consultation is considered and confirmed before construction.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2018.

Quotes:

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

“This investment is great local example of the difference we are making for seniors on limited incomes looking for an affordable place to call home in the community. We will continue to invest in projects that help seniors live as independently as possible.”

Mary Polak, MLA for Langley –

“Along with being the MLA for Langley, I'm also the daughter of a senior who wants to live independently as long as possible. More affordable housing for seniors is an important way to support those who have given so much to us and to our community.”

Robert Brown, president, Catalyst Community Developments Society –

“We are very grateful for this provincial funding to our partnership with Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church as it will help significantly to make this project a reality and provide seniors and families in the Langley community with attractive and efficient homes at rents they can afford secured for the life of the building.”

Kristen Steele, pastor, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church –

“Our church, as an accepting and caring community, has long had as part of our Christian mission a vision to provide much needed affordable housing for seniors in our community. We see this provincial funding as a big step forward to bringing our proposed project to fruition.”

Quick Facts:

• The B.C. government has committed $855 million over five years, including $575 million in 2016-17, to support the construction or renovation of 4,900 units of affordable housing throughout the province.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.9 billion to provide affordable housing for low income individuals, seniors and families.
• More than 104,000 B.C. households benefit from a diverse range of provincial housing programs and services.
• Last year, the B.C. government invested $8.8 million to provided subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 2,100 households in Langley. This includes providing support for over 550 senior households and close to 180 family households.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Province's actions on housing affordability, visit: http://housingaffordability.gov.bc.ca/

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