Victoria, BC– Low to moderate income families and individuals will benefit from 51 new affordable homes planned at 1909 Prosser Road in the District of Central Saanich as part of the Regional Housing First Program(RHFP). Properties funded by the RHFP provide a mix of rental options, including units for people who are ready to live independently. Flexible, mobile services may be delivered based on the individual needs of people in those units.
The Prosser Road affordable housing development will be located next to a 39-unit supportive housing project, which is currently under development. It will consist of a five-storey multi-unit residential building with a shared underground parkade. It will be acquired by the CRD through the RHFP following completion of site redevelopment and operated by the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC).
The building will include studios and 1-and 2-bedroom apartments. 41 units will be rented at affordable rates for people with moderate to low incomes, while the remaining 10 units will rent at the provincial income assistance rate of $375/month as a result of the RHFP equity contribution of $3 million. Total project cost is estimated at $17 million including the $3 million RHFP equity purchase, a $3.25 million Investment in Housing Innovation grant from BC Housing and $615,000 in grant funding from the Regional Housing Trust Fund. Construction is underway with building completion expected by spring 2022.
The Regional Housing First Program is an equal partnership agreement between the CRD, the Government of BC through BC Housing, and the Government of Canada though the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The program will see a direct investment of $120 million to create up to 2,000 units of affordable housing as part of the $600 million initiative, 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 proud to invest in this important project, which will offer residents of Central Saanich more affordable housing options. This is the National Housing Strategy at work!”
Ken Hardie, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood – Port Kells – “Our Government is working hard to ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Investments with our municipal and provincial partners through the Regional Housing First Program will go a long way to effectively support those who need it most by quickly providing new affordable homes to vulnerable individuals and families to keep them safe.”
The Honourable David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing - “51 families and individuals will enjoy safe, affordable, high quality homes thanks to the community leaders who have worked together with BC Housing and the provincial government to help deliver this project. All governments have to work together to respond to the housing crisis faced by too many people in our province. This project is a great example of how that kind of leadership from local governments and non-profit partners can change lives and build community.”
Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair – “There is an urgent need for more housing people can afford in our region and the Regional Housing First Program enables us to create the right mix of affordable housing opportunities. This mix of housing will deliver homes that low and middle-income people can afford, while also making sure people in greatest need have access to safe, secure housing with the right support services available to help them succeed.”
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 ten projects that are in progress or complete:
- Central Saanich – 1 project (Prosser)
- Langford – 3 projects (Hockley House, Millstream Ridge, Spencer Close)
- Salt Spring Island – 1 project (Croftonbrook)
- Sooke – 2 projects (Drennan and Charters)
- Victoria – 2 projects (Cedar Grove, Michigan Square)
- View Royal – 1 project (West Park)
- With a RHFP contribution of $3 million for 1909 Prosser, combined with the other nine projects, the allocated amount to date is $75.1 million of the $120 million total.
- Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home—this includes more than $13 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.
Learn more:
Attachment: FAQs
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
Mikaela Harrison
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Mikaela.Harrison@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