Charla Huber / Special to the Gazette
The MB次元官网网址檃kola Housing Society has transformed five homes into 36. This isnB次元官网网址檛 a magic trick, itB次元官网网址檚 the result of hard work and determination, bringing more affordable housing to Langford.
Five townhomes along Goldstream Avenue were removed and in its place, at 550 Goldstream Ave., an apartment building with two- and three-bedroom units now exists and will be ready for tenants on April 1.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 getting more and more expensive to raise a family, with rents escalating and getting further and further out of reachB次元官网网址� said MB次元官网网址檃kola CEO, Kevin Albers. B次元官网网址淭his building provides affordable housing for families where they prefer to live and raise their children, close to schools, recreation, transportation and shopping.B次元官网网址�
MB次元官网网址檃kola provides 1,600 homes to 5,000 family members across the province and has six housing complexes in Langford.
B次元官网网址淚n Langford we are a big advocate of affordable housing. MB次元官网网址檃kola has operated here since the 1980s and has evolved just as the City of Langford has,B次元官网网址� Mayor Stew Young said. B次元官网网址淲e welcome this MB次元官网网址檃kola project and the many more to come. Langford is about taking care of families and MB次元官网网址檃kola is helping us do that.B次元官网网址�
With many long-term operating agreements with various levels of government and housing providers expiring, MB次元官网网址檃kola has been developing other strategies to create and offer affordable housing through strategic partnerships.
B次元官网网址淭his project was the result of a significant investment by MB次元官网网址檃kola Housing Society which allowed us to leverage B.C. Housing grants and long-term financing. In the end it was the City of Langford that provided that last jolt to get us over the finish line and into construction,B次元官网网址� Albers said. B次元官网网址淭he City of Langford couldnB次元官网网址檛 be a better partner and they continue to set the bar very high for other municipalities.B次元官网网址�
MB次元官网网址檃kola Development Services, a social enterprise branch of the MB次元官网网址檃kola Group was the development consultant and project manager for the project, B次元官网网址渢ransforming this building from an idea through to fruition,B次元官网网址� explained Albers. B次元官网网址淚 am so proud of the team, and the hard work they have invested to make this a reality.B次元官网网址�
Not only will the new building provide homes for 36 families, it will also bring more than 25 full-time positions to Langford, including AlbersB次元官网网址�.
B次元官网网址淟angford has been a big supporter of affordable housing, families and especially MB次元官网网址檃kola. This is a perfect pairing for MB次元官网网址檃kola,B次元官网网址� Albers said.
In 2008 Langford won a national Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation award for its affordable housing program for homeownership. Developers in Langford must adhere to the program and sell a percentage of homes built for a lower cost to families in need. The program was first introduced in 2004.
The City also contributed $263,600 through municipal grants and various fee reductions to this project.
MB次元官网网址檃kola Group of Societies is the largest Aboriginal Housing provider in the province. The homes in its newest building are ready for viewing and tenants can move in April 1. Interest has been fast and furious with over 300 inquires in the first few days leading MB次元官网网址檃kola to seek out further rental project opportunities in Langford. Units will be rented at the lower end of market, with rent for a two bedroom, two bathroom unit starting at $895/month.
Charla Huber is a former reporter for the Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
