More affordable rental housing is on the way for Burnaby.
In an announcement today (Feb. 9), the province said a new redevelopment project is underway in Burnaby that will create 61 new affordable rental houses for low and moderate-income families, seniors and people living with developmental disabilities.
Three outdated group-home buildings at 7415 Sussex Ave. have been demolished and will be replaced by 39 rental units for families and seniors and 22 group-home units for adults living with developmental disabilities.
The province says once construction is finished, group home residents that relocated during the work will have the option of moving into the new development with no change to their current rent.
The L'Arche Foundation of Greater Vancouver will operate the new homes.
"The construction of this project helps ensure a supply of quality, affordable homes for people in Burnaby, so they aren't forced to move away from the community they call home," MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds Raj Chouhan said in the announcement.
"Thank you to the L'Arche Foundation of Greater Vancouver, the federal government and the City of Burnaby for working with our government to deliver homes that will provide an affordable place to live for a range of people in need."
The province says it is contributing $6.7 million from the Building BC: Community Housing Fund. They will also provide annual operating funding of roughly $300,000.
The project is also receiving $854,000 from the Government of Canada and the Province by way of the Canada-British Columbia Bilateral Agreement on Housing. The City of Burnaby is providing a $1.5 million grant.
"The City of Burnaby is proud to support this project and the quality homes it will provide for people in our community," Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said.
"When we come together, we can achieve great things and partnerships like this are a great way to respond to our housing crisis."
