More than 70 affordable rental apartments and a new seniors’ community centre will help Mission seniors live independently and continue to enjoy life in their community.

Mission Association of Seniors Housing is receiving $7.4 million from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund to build the new homes for low- to moderate-income seniors.

“After years of working hard and building connections in their communities, too many seniors have been left struggling to stay in their own community due to rising housing costs and low vacancy rates,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Through our Community Housing Fund investments, we are building the affordable homes that many seniors need to stay in the communities they love.”

To be located at 7682 Grand St., the six-storey wood-frame building will provide 74 apartments with studio and one- and- two-bedroom units.

“This is great news for seniors in Mission who have been squeezed out of a tight rental market,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. “They’ll have access to homes they can afford so they can stay close to friends and family.”

A community centre will be located on the ground floor and will be funded and operated by the District of Mission parks, recreation and culture department.

Mission Association for Seniors Housing will also help residents connect with services and supports available in the community. This service, along with the on-site community centre, will make the project a hub for seniors in Mission.

Construction is expected to start summer 2019.

Quotes:

Pam Alexis, mayor, District of Mission —

“This is an exciting day for seniors and their families in our community. After years of planning, we are finally able to celebrate being well on our way to seeing much-needed seniors housing and activity space built in Mission. We thank the Province and BC Housing for helping move this project forward, and the Mission Association for Seniors Housing and the Mission Seniors Centre Association for their tireless work championing the cause.”

Tricia Schweers, executive director, Mission Association of Seniors Housing —

“We are very pleased and looking forward to bring to our community of Mission 74 much-needed affordable seniors housing units that the society has been working towards for quite some time, together with a community activity centre to replace the current seniors’ activity centre.”

Bob Ingram, president, Mission Seniors Centre Association —

“The new activity centre will provide the opportunity to expand current programs, initiate new and innovative programs and ensure the provision of services to seniors in our community. Our appreciation goes out to all of those who are supportive of the Association and who have been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.”

Quick Facts:

• The housing project is part of the first series of projects selected to receive funding through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years to build more than 14,000 affordable rental homes for seniors, families and low- and middle-income earners.
• Projects built under the Community Housing Fund will reflect the following mix of incomes:
  • 30% of the units will be for households with middle incomes.
  • 50% of the units will be for a range of low- to moderate-income households.
  • 20% of the units will be for households with low incomes.
• The Community Housing Fund was launched in Budget 2018 as part of the Province’s 30-point housing plan. The plan outlines the largest investment in affordable housing in B.C.’s history — more than $7 billion over 10 years. Through this investment, the Province is working in partnership to create 114,000 new, affordable homes for people with low and middle incomes.

Learn More:

Read Homes for B.C., government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

Information about the Building BC: Community Housing Fund and a map of approved projects can be found here: http://www.bchousing.org/CHF