Seniors with low to middle incomes will soon benefit from 22 new affordable rental homes, as construction begins on the expansion of Croftonbrook.
"Seniors deserve to have safe and affordable housing, close to their friends and loved ones,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo, on behalf of Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Thanks to the partners who have worked to give seniors a good place to call home, our elders can stay in their community.”
Located at 132 Corbett Rd., Phase 2 of the development will provide 10 studio units and 12 one-bedroom units for seniors.
“This is such a wonderful announcement, and I raise my hands to everyone who helped make it happen,” said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “With more affordable, accessible homes that allow seniors to stay on Salt Spring, our community is made richer and more vibrant. The safety and security of a comfortable home is a human right and I am grateful we have begun to chip away at the housing crisis.”
Islanders Working Against Violence Society will own and operate the two-storey wood frame building. The society is receiving $2.2 million from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund, $4.5 million in construction financing and annual operating funding for the project. The society provided the land, valued at $777,000, and equity of approximately $495,000 for the new building.
“This is a day to celebrate as there will be more affordable housing for seniors, especially for those at risk of homelessness and struggling in this terrible housing crisis,” said Kisae Petersen, executive director, Islanders Working Against Violence Society. “We couldn’t have done this without the co-operation of BC Housing, the CRD, Islands Trust and North Salt Spring Waterworks, and the incredible support from Salt Spring Island Foundation and private donors.”
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is providing $144,000 through the Regional Housing Trust Fund and $100,000 through the Community Works Fund (CWF). The CWF investment (federal gas tax funding) will lead to conservation benefits, such as a 30% reduction in water demand for the project.
“The CRD is proud to work with our partners and provide funding through the Regional Housing Trust Fund for this expansion,” said Gary Holman, electoral area director, Salt Spring Island. “We are excited to see the next phase of this project move forward for residents on Salt Spring.”
Each floor of the building will include a laundry room and common room. Residents will have access to a larger common building on the site that currently serves the existing 20 seniors' units.
This project is part of the more than 22,000 new homes that are completed or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments.
Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.
Quick Facts:
This housing development is funded through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years, to build more than 14,000 mixed-income rental homes throughout the province.
The projected rent mix for this phase will be:
four units for seniors with low incomes: $375;
11 rent-geared-to-income units (seniors with low to moderate incomes): approximately $500 (studios) to approximately $640 (one-bedroom); and
seven middle-income units: approximately $975.
In addition to these 22 homes for seniors, the Province is working in partnership to build 24 affordable townhomes for low- to moderate-income families on Salt Spring Island at 176 Bishops Walk Rd.