Burnaby to draft agreement for 61 units of non-market housing

The City of Burnaby is steps closer to entering into a housing agreement with the L’Arche Foundation of Greater Vancouver regarding a non-market housing development.

The development, under construction at 7401 Sussex Ave., includes 61 rental units for low- and moderate-income people and people with developmental disabilities, and will be a multi-age residential care facility.

The city is now in the process of securing the non-market or special needs housing through a housing agreement, which is a legal tool that secures details like “rent levels, income-testing requirements and target populations,” according to a city staff report.

The development is three storeys with 39 units of non-market housing and 22 bedrooms for people with developmental disabilities and their live-in caregivers (14 bedrooms for disabled residents and 8 bedrooms for their caregivers).

L’Arche will rent 22 of its units at deep subsidy rates, and 24 units at rent-geared-to-income rates for low income households earning at or below BC Housing’s housing income limits.

Fifteen units will be rented at “affordable market rates for moderate income households” as outlined in the agreement with BC Housing.

Rent levels for 22 bedrooms will be at deep subsidy rates.

The units can only be occupied by residents meeting income eligibility requirements for the type of rented unit.

L’Arche will not be able to ask for extra charges or fees for common areas or amenities, although it may charge for parking, laundry, cable TV, telephone and other fees approved by BC Housing.

According to L’Arche’s website, the project is scheduled for completion and occupancy in 2024.

The development was approved by Burnaby council in November 2021.