An Esquimalt low-income housing complex for seniors is getting redeveloped thanks to a provincial grant.
The Esquimalt Lions Lodge at 874 Fleming St. has been in place since 1972, and is in dire need of an upgrade by the Greater Victoria Housing Society.
B次元官网网址淢any of the people who live there would be homeless without it,B次元官网网址� said Kaye Melliship, executive director of the Greater Victoria Housing Society. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great that we can offer something safe, secure and functional in a safe neighborhood.B次元官网网址�
The 77-unit will be replaced by two buildings housing 137 units for seniors and families. While the plan had been in place for a while, there werenB次元官网网址檛 enough secured funds for the $40 million project to get going.
On Tuesday, however, the province announced funding for 4,900 affordable housing units across the province, including 161 in Esquimalt and 588 in Victoria. The Esquimalt Lions Lodge was awarded $13.7 million, or $100,000 for every unit.
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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 full steam ahead,B次元官网网址� Melliship said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got happy architects and happy engineers.B次元官网网址�
Current tenants will not be displaced by the construction; the new seniors complex will be built in the adjacent parking lot and residents will be invited to move into the new units once they are complete. Following the move, the old building will be torn down and a new building slated for families will be built.
If residents do not wish to be around construction for a few years, the GVHS is also offering units at some of their other buildings.
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Rental prices are expected to stay relatively the same in the new complex.
B次元官网网址淓veryone has a very unique story, we have to monitor rent with their incomes,B次元官网网址� Melliship said. B次元官网网址淲e have to make it affordable respecting what they can pay; many of them are on welfare so weB次元官网网址檒l definitely need to pay special attention to that.B次元官网网址�
The rest of the units will not surpass 30 per cent of a personB次元官网网址檚 income in rent.
The Esquimalt Lions Club is still hoping to be involved in the new building, though itB次元官网网址檚 unclear if the new developments will also bear their name.
The project will now go through more detailed design plans and zoning applications, but the GVHS hopes that shovels will hit the ground in March 2020.
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