Victoria, BC– Low-income families and individuals will benefit from 120 new affordable homes opening in Langford as part of the Regional Housing First Program (RHFP). Properties funded by the RHFP provide a mix of rental options, including units for people experiencing homelessness who can live independently with supports.

Hockley House is a six-storey rental building on Hockley Avenue in downtown Langford comprised of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. The property includes 12 accessible units and 24 units renting at the current provincial income assistance rate of $375/month.

Residents will begin moving into their new homes in early April. To ensure resident safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, move-in dates and times are staggered so residents have minimal contact with each other in hallways and elevators.

Hockley House is under management of the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC), the largest non-profit housing provider on Vancouver Island. Tenancy applications for the affordable units are currently being accepted.

The Regional Housing First Program is an equal partnership agreement between the CRD, the Government of BC through BC Housing, and the federal government though the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The equal partnership will see a direct investment of $120 million to create up to 2,000 units of affordable housing as part of the $600 million program, including 400 units renting at the current provincial income assistance rate to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

Quotes:

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) - “Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That’s why our Government is happy to support these types of developments, which will provide residents of Langford with more affordable housing options. This is the National Housing Strategy at work!”

Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca - “The opening of this project means that more than 100 people will have a secure affordable home in their community, something that every British Columbian deserves. We will continue to work with all levels of government and our community partners to make sure people have homes they can afford in the capital region and throughout the province.”

Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair - “With Hockley House, the CRHC marks its third building opening under the RHFP in less than a year, adding a total of 402 units of housing at a time when our region needs it the most. Through the collaboration of local, Provincial and Federal partners we are rising to the occasion and delivering on our commitments.”

Stewart Young, Mayor – City of Langford
“The City of Langford continues to support a range of housing options within our community. It is encouraging that qualifying residents of Hockley House will be able to easily access all the amenities that downtown Langford has to offer.”

Quick Facts

• The Regional Housing First Program partnership is expected to create up to 2,000 rental units. 20% of the units will be rented at provincial income assistance rates within projects that will also include at least 31% affordable units and 49% near-market units on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
• The Regional Housing First Program currently includes nine projects that are in progress or complete:
  • Langford – 3 projects (Hockley, Millstream Ridge, Spencer)
  • View Royal – 1 project (West Park)
  • Salt Spring Island – 1 project (Croftonbrook)
  • Sooke – 2 projects (Drennan and Charters)
  • Victoria – 2 projects (Cedar Grove, Michigan)
• With a RHFP contribution of $7.2 million for Hockley House, combined with the other eight projects, the allocated amount to date is $66.7 million of the $120 million total.
• The Capital Region Housing Corporation will operate Hockley House. Tenancy applications are currently being accepted. Rental information can be found at www.capitalregionhousing.ca.

Learn more:

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit: www.placetocallhome.ca

A map showing the location of all of the Regional Housing First Program sites announced to date, as well as other provincially-funded housing projects in B.C., is available online at: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn more about the Regional Housing First Program, visit: https://www.crd.bc.ca/project/regional-housing-first-program

Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492

Jessica Eritou
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
jessica.eritou@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Leonard Catling
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
lcatling@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing
Media Relations
778.678.1572

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org