The B.C. government is providing a $200,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North to help build new affordable homes for families in Campbell River.

“We are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North to provide safe and affordable housing for families in need,” said Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing. “Projects like this are a fundamental part of a vibrant and healthy community and can change the lives of the people who call them home.”

The funding is being used to help build two three-bedroom duplexes at 477 Hilchey Rd., which will provide four family units. This is the first phase of a three-year project that will house 11 families once completed. Construction began in March this year and occupancy is anticipated for July 2017.

“This funding has enabled us to finalize the first phase of a project to provide strength, security and affordable home ownership for Campbell River families,” said Pat McKenna, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North. “We couldn’t have carried this out without the help of our partners, so a big thank you to all of them, especially the City of Campbell River, North Island College and its foundation program for carpentry, electrical and plumbing.”

The funding will come from the Province’s Housing Endowment Fund. It was established in 2007 to support innovative housing proposals that would not qualify under existing funding programs.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The organization mobilizes volunteers and partners to support simple, decent housing in order to provide low-to middle-income families with access to affordable homeownership.

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested or committed to a total of $6.3 billion to provide affordable housing supply and access for low income individuals, seniors and families.
• This includes new investment commitments of $920 million to support the acquisition, construction and renovation of almost 5,300 housing units throughout B.C. over the next few years.
• More than 104,000 B.C. households benefit from provincial social housing programs and services. To learn more, go to: www.bchousing.org

Learn More:

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

Follow BC Housing on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BC_Housing

Habitat for Humanity Canada has 56 affiliates in 10 provinces and three territories, and has placed more than 2,800 families in safe, decent, and affordable homes. To learn more, go to: https://www.habitat.ca/