Seniors with low to moderate incomes and people with disabilities in Langley will soon have access to more than 100 new affordable homes as construction begins on a redevelopment project in the community.

“Our government is proud to work with partners like the Langley Lions Housing Society (LLHS) to build new, modern homes so that people who call Langley home do not have to go elsewhere to find affordable housing,” said Megan Dykeman, MLA for Langley East. “This new redevelopment will ensure that seniors and people with disabilities in Langley can continue to live healthily and comfortably, surrounded by the services and people they count on.”

Located at 20355 54 Ave., the eight-storey apartment building will have 101 one-bedroom units, including 30 assisted-living units. The building will have an indoor lounge area, while a larger shared-activity area will be located at the adjacent Evergreen Timbers building. Outdoor space includes gardens and walkways for residents to gather and socialize.

The redevelopment will replace the Birch, a three-storey, 66-unit apartment building previously on the site that was destroyed by a fire in 2017. Former residents will be offered an opportunity to move into the new building.

LLHS, an experienced non-profit housing provider, provided the land for the project and will own and operate the new building. The society, with support from Fraser Health, will provide support and care for people with disabilities living in the 30 assisted-living units. Assisted-living residents will be selected by Fraser Health.

The Province, through BC Housing, provided a grant of approximately $11 million from the Community Housing Fund toward the construction of the building. BC Housing will also provide the society with an annual operating subsidy of approximately $444,000.

The building is part of the LLHS’s greater redevelopment project, which will build 981 units of affordable rental seniors housing on a 2.2-hectare (5.5-acre) site.

Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2023.

Quotes:

Val van den Broek, mayor, City of Langley –

“The health and welfare of our citizens is first and foremost in our minds. The City of Langley is delighted that the provincial government, through BC Housing, has made this significant investment in Langley. Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call their own, where they can thrive and spend more time with their loved ones.”

Jeanette Dagenais, executive director, LLHS –

“On behalf of the board of directors, employees and residents of the society, we are thrilled and excited to have received funding for the first leg of our adventure. Replacing the Birch building with 101 units in a highrise – the tallest building in the City of Langley – is a milestone in the provision of affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities in our community. Our society is grateful that the Province is helping the vulnerable population of Langley, and we look forward to future partnerships with BC Housing as we progress through the journey of updating and modernizing our contribution to what makes the City of Langley what it is today.”

Quick Facts:

• The City of Langley provided a grant of approximately $150,000 to the project.
• The Community Housing Fund is part of the Province's 10-year, $7-billion housing plan.
  • It is an investment of $1.9 billion to build more than 14,000 affordable rental homes for low- and moderate-income families and individuals over 10 years.
  • More than 8,800 of these homes are already open, under construction or in development.
• The Community Housing Fund supports mixed-income buildings where 50% of the units are for households with annual incomes up to $64,000, 30% of the units are for households with incomes up to approximately $74,000 and 20% of the units are for households with very low incomes (including those on income or disability assistance).
• Through provincial investments, 427 new affordable homes have opened or are underway in Langley since 2018.

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/