Federal government invests in over 2,600 affordable homes across British Columbia

VICTORIA, BC, July 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the federal government announced more than $145 million in contributions and low-cost loans through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to help build and repair more than 2,600 affordable homes on Vancouver Island and across British Columbia.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada – on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities – alongside, Peter Parker, Chairman Dawson Heights Housing Ltd, and Karen Hope, Executive Directory, Dawson Heights Housing Ltd.

It took place at the Woodlands at Dawson Heights, at 3700 Cedar Hill Road, which received $4.25 million to build 85 homes and will be operated by Dawson Heights Housing Society. The building will have one- and two-bedroom suites for seniors over 55 on fixed, moderate-, and low-incomes, and is conveniently located near grocery stores, parks, pharmacies, and other amenities.

This new development replaces Dawson Height's former cottages, which were located on the current site, and is the third and final development for the Dawson Heights Campus. The building will be constructed with accessibility in the design. Construction is scheduled for completion in late 2024.

A detailed list of all the projects that received funding is provided in an appendix to this release.

Quotes:

"Everyone deserves a place to call their own and the Affordable Housing Fund is one way we're helping make that a reality for Canadians. We will keep investing in affordable housing projects like the ones announced today, and working with partners across the country, to end the housing crisis." – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

"We need innovative solutions and quick action to fix the housing crisis. Through the Affordable Housing Fund, we are building and repairing over 2,677 homes on Vancouver Island and across British Columbia. By working with our communities, we are investing $145 million to support those who need social and affordable housing the most." –  The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, and Minister Responsible for PacifiCan

Quick facts:

• The federal funding announced today is helping create a total of 1,082 new homes and is leading to the repairs of 1,579 homes.
• The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to help build new affordable homes and renovate and repair existing, affordable and community housing.
• Through the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, the government announced an additional $1 billion for the Affordable Housing Fund, bringing the total funding to over $14 billion. To further support non-profit, co-operative, and public housing providers and respond to the needs of those most impacted by the housing crisis, Budget 2024 committed an additional $1 billion to the fund.
• This program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.
• As of March 2024, the federal government has committed $50.97 billion through the NHS to support the creation of over 146,000 units and the repair of over 286,000 units.
• To support the Government's work to grow housing supply and address the need for more affordable and rental homes, CMHC is implementing the Frequent Builder framework.
• The Frequent Builder framework will help expedite applications for the Affordable Housing Fund and the Apartment Construction Loan Program. The Frequent Builder status is given to existing housing providers with a proven track record of building multi-residential units. Different criteria apply to Governments, non-profit and for-profit organizations to qualify for Frequent Builder status.
• Frequent Builders may receive benefits such as priority treatment, a streamlined process through intake, underwriting and approval stages, underwriting and advancing flexibilities, as well as the possibility of funding commitments for future years which will allow funding predictability and better planning for their pipeline of projects.

Additional Information:

• Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of Canada housing information.
• CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Appendix: Projects receiving funding under AHF

Project Name	Region/City	Funding	Units
The Victoria Cool Aid Society - Repairs	Victoria	$2,680,000	268
The Residences at Qualicum Station	Qualicum Beach	$12,239,874	56
856 Nigel Avenue	Saanich	$5,250,000	70
Stage Two Housing-Victoria	Victoria	$525,000	7
Cypress Gardens	Comox	$3,791,000	52
The Woodlands at Dawson Heights	Victoria	$4,250,000	85
Timberline at North Park	Port Alberni	$33,584,422	102
Maitland Street Family Housing	Port Alberni	$1,980,000	46
Rainbow Gardens Seniors' Apartment	Port Alberni	$1,000,000	48
3130 Jutland Road	Victoria	$6,600,000	88
Tyee Urgent Repairs	Victoria	$15,500,000	75
314 Buller Street - Affordable Housing Project	Ladysmith	$1,767,348	36
Chown Pl Seniors Housing	Victoria	$1,455,576	58
Sharp Road	Tofino	$4,302,209	14
Quadra Island Seniors Housing Project	Quadra Island	$465,000	16
Sunset View Apartments	Powell River	$9,098,982	34
Okanagan Indian Band Community Housing Fund	Vernon	$3,599,766	16
Housing  Repairs	Quesnel	$105,000	7
Yale First Nation Repairs	Hope	$300,000	20
Prophet River First Nation Repairs	Fort Nelson	$150,000	10
Leqamel First Nation Repairs	Holachten	$165,000	11
Shelter	Merritt	$137,168	15
Glen Vowell Repairs	Sik-e-dakh	$105,000	7
Taku River Tlingit First Nation Repairs	Stikine Region	$300,000	20
Ulkatcho Repairs	Ulkatcho	$47,315	8
Safe and Healthy Home for Tsleil-Waututh Nation	North Vancouver	$180,000	12
Daylu Dena Council Repairs	Lower Post	$165,000	11
Lower Nicola Indian Band Repairs	Nicola Mameet	$180,000	12
Osoyoos Indian Band Repairs	Osoyoos	$300,000	20
Blueberry River First Nations Repairs	Blueberry River	$300,000	20
Lil'wat Nation Rental Housing Building Envelope Renovation	Mount Currie	$200,000	20
Fort Nelson First Nation Repairs	Fort Nelson	$465,000	11
Shelter	Kamloops	$200,000	15
Nisga'a Lisims Government Repairs	Nisga'a	$885,000	59
Tzeachten First Nation Repairs	Tzeachten	$294,000	21
Neskonlith Indian Band Repairs	Neskonlith	$225,000	15
Shelter	Lillooet	$264,000	15
West Moberly First Nations repairs	West Moberly Lake	$315,000	21
Lax Kw'alaams WAAP Housing Society	Prince Rupert	$6,200,625	70
Gitwangak Repairs	Gitwangak	$808,496	57
Seabird Island Band Repairs	Kent	$150,000	10
Coldwater Repairs	Merritt	$113,460	20
AQAM Repairs	Cranbrook	$165,000	11
Tahltan Repairs	Telegraph Creek	$150,000	10
Upper Similkameen Repairs	Chuchuwayha	$60,000	4
Xaxli'p Repairs	Fountain	$30,000	2
Ulkatcho First Nations Repairs	Squinas	$10,080	8
Nuxalk Nation repairs	Bella Coola	$120,000	8
Doig River First Nation Repairs	Doig River	$24,135	4
Tsawout First Nation repairs	Saanich	$14,057	1
Gwa'Sala-Nakwaxda'xw Repairs	Tsulquate	$4,856	1
T'Sou-ke First Nation Community Housing: Essential Repairs and Renovations"	T'Sou-ke	$150,000	10
Squamish Nation Repairs	North Vancouver	$480,000	66
Lhoosk'uz Dene Nation Repairs	Kluskus	$60,000	4
Campbell River Repairs	Campbell River	$8,362	3
Ts'uubaa-asatx First Nation Repairs	Cowichan Lake	$90,000	6
Skowkale First Nation Repairs	Skowkale	$42,460	3
Binche Whut'en Repairs	Binche	$22,556	2
Shackan Indian Band Repairs	Shackan	$37,810	3
Old Massett Village Council Repairs	Masset	$86,436	8
Cheam First Nation Repairs	Cheam	$195,000	13
Skwlax te Secwepemculecw - Repairs	Columbia-Shuswap	$210,000	14
Tk'emlups te Secwepemc Repairs	Thompson-Nicola	$109,821	22
Sumas First Nation Repairs	Abbotsford	$153,850	20
Sts'ailes Repairs	Fraser Valley	$26,819	20
Shxwhá:y Village Repair	Skway	$7,584	8
Nazko First Nation Repairs	Nazco	$15,880	2
Nanoose First Nation Repairs and Renovations	Lantzville	$47,544	17
Lhtako Dene Nation Repairs	Quesnel	$177,042	28
Okanagan Indian Band Repairs	Vernon	$240,000	16
Soowahlie Repairs	Soowahlie	$225,000	15
Sq'éwlets Repairs	Squawkum Creek	$242,200	18
Bridge River Repairs	Bridge River	$300,000	20
Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation Housing Renovation Project	Kitasoo	$495,000	33
Saulteau First Nations Repair	Chetwynd	$367,330	28
Tsawwassen First Nation Repairs	Delta	$435,000	29
Tla'amin Nation Repairs	Powell	$262,900	32
Cook's Ferry Indian Band repairs	Kamloops	$750,000	50
Ucluelet First Nation Repairs	Nanaimo	$660,000	44
Shuswap Band Repairs	Invermere	$150,000	15
Kitselas Community Housing	Kitselas	$3,000,000	40
1919 17th Avenue	Prince George	$2,850,000	164
Móytel Lalém	New Westminster	$9,200,000	96
Stz'uminus First Nation Repairs	Chemainus	$450,000	30
Pacheedaht First Nation Repairs	Juan de Fuca	$150,000	10
Skidegate Repairs	Skidegate	$150,000	10
Ehattesaht Renovations	Ehatis	$15,000	1
Heiltsuk First Nation Repairs and Improvements	Bella Bella	$1,500,000	100
Cowichan Tribes Repairs	Duncan	$750,000	50
TOTAL		$145,335,963	2,677

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Contacts: Micaal Ahmed, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]