Families in Burnaby will benefit from 90 new affordable rental homes as part of the ongoing redevelopment of Cedar Place.

The Province, BC Housing and developer Ledingham McAllister are partnering on this redevelopment project. As part of Phase 1, the first 90 affordable apartments for families are complete. Phase 2 construction is beginning on a building for seniors that will provide another 91 homes.

Once complete, the redevelopment of Cedar Place will more than double the number of affordable rental homes on the site.

“Finding affordable homes has been too difficult for too long in our province, so we are working hard to make it easier for people,” said Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds. “It’s through these innovative public and private partnerships that we’ll be able to deliver more affordable rental options for seniors and families.”

Located at 7683 15th St., the social housing at Cedar Place was built almost 50 years ago and requires substantial repairs. As part of Phase 1 of redevelopment, the Province replaced the homes at Cedar Place with 90 new affordable rental homes for families and seniors in Ledingham’s Southgate development nearby.

Phase 1’s apartments will be operated by BC Housing and consist of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes with access to a playground and community garden. Five units have been built for people with disabilities.

“We know that many seniors struggle to find a home that meets both their needs and budgets in the neighbourhoods where they’ve put down roots,” said Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake and Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors. “With doors open on 90 new homes and more on the way, this housing will provide seniors in Burnaby with the affordable housing options they want and urgently need.”

To make room for Phase 2 construction, the old Cedar Place building will be demolished and replaced by one seniors’ housing building with 91 homes and five additional market-housing buildings. Prior to the start of construction, Cedar Place residents were able to move into the new, affordable rental homes completed as part of Phase 1.

The new housing for seniors will be built on the western edge of the site. Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and expected to be complete by early 2021.

Quotes:

Mike Hurley, mayor of Burnaby –

“I am very glad that 90 families’ homes have been retained and 91 units of new seniors' housing will open here. As part of the Edmonds Town Centre Plan for the Southgate neighbourhood, the development will be providing a new city park with a broad range of community amenities and features, creating a truly supported and integrated community.”

Ward McAllister, president and CEO, Ledingham McAllister Communities –

“We are very proud and honoured to be a part of these important affordable housing initiatives through a partnership with the Province of British Columbia, BC Housing and the City of Burnaby, using our collective resources and expertise to meet the challenge of providing affordable, quality homes for those most in need.”

Quick Facts:

• To address the issue of housing affordability for British Columbians, the Province is curbing speculation in B.C.’s housing market and building 114,000 affordable market rental, non-profit, supported social housing and owner-purchase housing through partnerships.
• Budget 2018 launched the most significant investment in housing affordability in B.C.'s history — more than $7 billion over 10 years.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Cedar Place redevelopment project, visit: www.bchousing.org/partner-services/major-projects/cedar-place

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

For the latest actions taken to improve housing affordability, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges