PERFORMING ARTS LODGE

The Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) at 581 Cardero St. in Coal Harbour is a new mixed-income development for seniors and people with disabilities in the professional performing arts and allied industries.

The eight-storey building at Cardero and Hastings contains 111 units: 12 two-bedroom life-lease suites and 99 affordable one-bedroom suites. The development’s amenities include a multi-purpose performance space and a rooftop garden.

Seniors in the performing arts earn an average of $10,000 annually – half the average income of all other Vancouverites over the age of 65. Eighty per cent of the suites are rent-geared-to-income and 20 per cent are at low-end-of-market. Rents are set as low as $450 (8 suites), with 70 per cent of the suites renting at $700 or less.

PAL Vancouver’s fundraising efforts have helped reduce capital development costs and made rents more affordable. PAL is continuing fundraising with its annual giving campaign to ensure long-term affordability of the suites.

A group of volunteers known as PAL’s Angels offers friendship and assistance and arrange support services for residents.

Partnership contributions

The capital cost of this development is $20.7 million.

The federal government through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided $250,000 under the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement.
The Province provided $385,000 in grants, and assistance with arranging the mortgage financing.
The City of Vancouver provided “air space parcel” zoning, valued at approximately $5 million, for a nominal amount, as well as $1 million in matching grants.
PAL raised $5.2 million from the sale of life-lease units and contributions from various institutions and societies, including $310,000 from the Union of BC Performers, $300,000 from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 891, $60,000 from ACTRA Fraternal Benefit Society, $25,000 from the Directors’ Guild of Canada, $25,000 from the B.C. Council of Film Unions, and many foundations and individuals.

Performing Arts Lodge of Vancouver

PAL Vancouver is a B.C. non-profit organization, created to provide and sustain quality affordable housing with support and creative options primarily for seniors and the disabled in the professional performing arts and allied industries.

PAL Vancouver was co-founded by Joy Coghill and Jane Heyman in 2001 as a chapter of Performing Arts Lodges of Canada.

-30-

Contact:

Mike Morton

Press Secretary

Office of the Premier

250 213-8218

Susan Thom

BC Housing

604 230-1301 (cell)

Megan Shaw

CMHC

604 737-4032

Ellie O’Day

PAL Vancouver

604 731-3339

604 313-7902 (cell)




For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.