by Goat Staff
The BC government is providing funding to build 14,000 new rental homes across the province to help make housing more affordable for seniors, families, and low- and middle-income seniors, Premier John Horgan announced last week.
“Fixing the housing crisis is not just about ownership,” said Premier Horgan. “It’s about making sure that British Columbians who rent rather than own can find homes.”
Through the new Building BC Community Housing Fund, government will invest close to $1.9 billion over 10 years to deliver safe, secure and affordable housing for B.C. renters. This housing will be built through partnerships with municipalities, non-profits and co-ops.
“Non-profit housing providers have been anxiously awaiting this day – the launch of a historic investment in affordable housing,” said Dean Fortin, executive director, Pacifica Housing. “We all know the fundamental importance of decent housing to enable the building of strong and resilient families and children and how important quality housing is to individuals in determining a quality of life every citizen deserves.”
BC Housing is issuing requests for proposals to identify prospective partners, including non-profit societies, housing co-operatives and municipalities, which want to develop and operate mixed-income rental housing projects.
Projects will be prioritized based on a number of criteria, including targeted clients and the impact the project would have in reducing the community’s affordable rental housing need.
“People are struggling in the midst of this housing crisis. We need to do everything we can to make housing more affordable,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Through the Community Housing Fund, people who have been squeezed out of the tight rental market will be able to find a place to call their own.”
