Unique Affordable Housing Open for People in Vancouver

Logo: Government of Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Logo: Government of British Columbia (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

VANCOUVER, Aug. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - A unique approach to affordable rental housing that's purposefully designed for building community is officially open. Co:Here is a 26 unit affordable housing project located in the Commercial Drive and Grandview-Woodlands neighbourhood, supported through partnerships between the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, Streetohome Foundation, and many other organizations and individuals.

Located at 1723 Victoria Dr., the building includes 18 units for people who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness and eight units for low-to-moderate-income individuals, couples and families.

The Co:Here Housing Community is managed and operated by Salsbury Community Society and the project is based on a community development approach to supportive housing whereby the connection between neighbours from different economic, cultural, health and societal backgrounds help to provide support services.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Honourable Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction on behalf of the Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Acting Mayor Raymond Louie, City of Vancouver, along with representatives from Co:Here Foundation and Salsbury Community Society made the announcement today.

Quotes:

"This investment is already making a real difference in this community and the lives of those who call Co:Here home. Our Government remains committed to working with our partners to develop and implement innovative solutions to housing here in Metro Vancouver and across Canada. When all levels of government come together to build a truly mixed community like this, everybody wins." — Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"These new homes represent an innovative approach to supportive housing, with the fostering of a network of support in the building. Our Government understands the importance of putting people first and when community is part of the solution, we are able to help more people with the housing and social assistance they need to make a fresh start in life." — Honourable Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and MLA for Vancouver-Hastings

"Co:Here is a great example of the type of creative affordable housing solutions that are possible when all levels of government and our non-profit partners work together to deliver urgently needed housing. In addition to providing 26 new homes geared towards low to moderate income households, this building gives people a chance to put down roots and continue to build their community within this vibrant East Vancouver neighbourhood. This is a project that the City of Vancouver is proud to support and I want to thank our partners in the federal and provincial governments, at the Streetohome Foundation, and the Co:Here Foundation and from the Salsbury Community Society for opening the doors on these new homes." — Gregor Robertson, Mayor of the City of Vancouver

"Co:Here is built on the conviction that people are made for and flourish when they are part of a community. It took a community to build Co:Here and we are deeply grateful for the many governments, organizations and individuals who supported this vision. Co:Here Foundation, Salsbury Community Society and Grandview Church are thankful for the support of the Province of BC and BC Housing, the Canadian Government, the City of Vancouver, Streetohome Foundation, Innovative Housing Consultants, NSDA and numerous organizations and individuals whose contributions played an important part in building Co:Here. Together we celebrate the official opening of this building and the community of people living here and in this neighbourhood." — John Koehn, Chairman for Co:Here Foundation

"The opportunity to operate a building that has been thoughtfully designed to foster community is a gift that is already bearing much fruit amongst Co:Here residents. Indeed there were many people and organizations that contributed to Co:Here and we are so grateful for the countless supporters and numerous community volunteers who helped make this dream a reality. Our hope is that this project sparks imagination for what is possible with a little bit of land and a small community of people with a big vision." — Rebecca Pousette, Salsbury Community Society

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada through CMHC and the Government of British Columbia through BC Housing jointly contributed approximately $3.5 million under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
• CMHC provided $37,300 in seed funding toward the project.
• The City of Vancouver contributed $500,000 from the Housing Infrastructure Grant and provided $257,000 in municipal waivers.
• Streetohome Foundation provided a grant in the amount of $520,000.
• Grandview Church provided the land valued at approximately $2.68 million.
• Co:Here Foundation raised the balance of the funds of approximately $4.8 million through foundations, private organizations and individuals.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)—an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.
• To address the issue of housing affordability for British Columbians, the Province is curbing speculation in B.C.'s housing market and working in partnership to build 114,000 affordable market rental, non-profit, supported social housing and owner-purchase homes.
• B.C. Budget 2018 launched the largest investment in housing affordability in the province's history—more than $7 billion over 10 years.

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, 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. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Read Homes for B.C., the provincial government's 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Media contacts: Michael Brewster, Office of Minister Duclos, 613-220-5956, [email protected]; Leonard Catling, Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 604-787-1787, [email protected]; Media Relations, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 250-952-0617; Rajvir Rao, BC Housing, 604-456-8917; Joyce Eng, Co:Here Foundation, 605-657-8819

Related Links

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca