Construction is underway on a new 82-unit rental housing facility on Sooke Road.
Located in the Colwood Lakes neighbourhood at 2006 Sooke Rd., the homes are for families, seniors and people with disabilities.
An announcement Friday at the site was to celebrate the ground breaking for the project, although the official ground breaking took place in January. Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean was in attendance as well as Dean Fortin, Pacifica Housing executive director, and Mayor Carol Hamilton in addition to other Pacifica board members and project representatives.
The province is investing roughly $1.9 billion over 10 years to build affordable housing for B.C. renters, which is being accomplished through the new Building B.C. Community Housing fund that was launched earlier this week.
READ MORE: B.C. government invests $1.9 billion in community housing
Housing B.C. partnered with Pacifica Housing and the City of Colwood to build Helios, an 82-unit project that is replacing 12 units from the old co-op housing and will serve low to moderate income families.
ItB次元官网网址檚 wood-frame construction and will stand four storeys high.
Dean said the province is providing $8.4 million for the project in capital funding.
Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA announces new 82-unit affordable housing project on Sooke Rd.
B次元官网网址� Goldstream Gazette (@GoldstreamB次元官网网址)
B次元官网网址淎s we all know housing affordability affects us all, and for far too long B.C.B次元官网网址檚 housing crisis was ignored while British Columbians have suffered,B次元官网网址� Dean said. She also said the increase in housing and rental prices has been damaging to communities and even people who earn a decent income are struggling to get ahead and find housing they can afford.
The province is also contributing an additional $10.2 million in construction financing.
The City of Colwood has contributed $328,000 to the project through the affordable housing reserve fund.
Jesse Margolus, development co-ordinator at Pacifica Housing Advisory Association, confirmed there is a demand to get a spot in the building and for affordable housing in general.
B次元官网网址淲e have a large waiting list for all of our rental buildings actually, and even at Oak Park and Helios we have a wait list and itB次元官网网址檚 not even constructed yet,B次元官网网址� Margolus said.
Townline Housing Solutions is the general contractor for the project, and Margolus said Pacifica is thrilled to be working with them on yet another project.
Lauren Antifeau, development manager at Townline Group of Companies, noted Low Hammond Rowe Architects have designed the building and the principal of the building is Paul Hammond.
B次元官网网址淗ammond has done a great job designing a building that speaks to the community and itB次元官网网址檚 been reviewed by City and council and the mayor,B次元官网网址� Antifeau said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檝e all provided positive feedback so weB次元官网网址檙e really excited to move forward with a design thatB次元官网网址檚 compatible with the neighbourhood.B次元官网网址�
Pacifica President Deborah George said building Helios is about more than just providing affordable housing, itB次元官网网址檚 about creating a sense of community. She discussed the second mandate of the organization to help tenants take the next step in life and she read a success story in a statement written by a tenant.
B次元官网网址淲ithout Pacifica, I do not know where I would be. After leaving my sonB次元官网网址檚 father I had no place to go and I was so scared I would not be able to afford a place that was safe. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until I was given a place in Pacifica that I started to believe that everything was going to be okay. Having a safe and affordable home to live in and raise my son has meant the world to me. We wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have been able to do it without your agency, thank you so much,B次元官网网址� she read.
Helios has units ranging from studio suites to three bedroom apartments, with an estimated rental rate of $825 per month for a studio up to $1,575 a month for a three bedroom.
Pacifica Housing will operate the building and it will include sidewalks, a playground and community gardens. It is expected to be finished by next summer.
Like us on and follow us on
