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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release May 28, 2010 |
Office of the Premier
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MORE THAN 200 AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS OPEN AT WOODWARD’S
VANCOUVER – The governments of Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver announced today the official opening of more than 200 affordable rental apartments for singles, families and people with disabilities at the new Woodward’s development in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
The Woodward’s redevelopment brings new affordable housing to the Downtown Eastside. The Government of Canada provided $15 million under the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement and $5.5 million through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).
The project also received mortgage loan insurance through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The Province of British Columbia provided $22 million in mortgage financing and will be providing an additional $1.78 million in annual operating funding for the singles and family apartments. The City of Vancouver provided the land and a $7-million grant. Woodward’s is a $400-million renewal project partnering three levels of government and the private sector.
“Our government is committed to creating jobs, building vital infrastructure, and improving the quality of life of residents throughout the country, “said the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “We are proud to have invested in the redevelopment of the Woodward’s site here in downtown Vancouver. This accomplishment will go a long way to providing safe, affordable homes for those who need them most.”
“The affordable housing component at Woodward’s will provide housing options to help people most in need,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “By working collaboratively, three levels of government came together to restore an important and historic part of the Downtown Eastside community. I want to thank all of our partners for coming together to help revitalize this neighbourhood and provide homes for families and individuals.”
“The opening of new affordable housing in Woodward's is a major step towards strengthening and revitalizing the Downtown Eastside,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver. “The mix of housing at Woodward's creates a diverse, inclusive community that is crucial to neighbourhood vitality, and will help us achieve our goal of ending street homelessness.”
Three non-profit housing societies operate the affordable housing apartments: PHS Community Services Society operates 125 apartments with integrated support services for low-income singles. The Affordable Housing Society operates 75 apartments for low-income families, and the Vancouver Resource Society for the Physically Disabled operates nine strata-titled apartments for the disabled.
“Woodward’s is a symbol in our community – a symbol of pride, but also a symbol that more needs to be done to relieve the suffering of our poorest community residents,” said Liz Evans, executive director and founder of PHS Community Services Society. “This development equally is something to take tremendous pride in, because it represents what is possible, for those who are so seldom accepted, and for whom secure stable housing changes lives."
“It gives us great pleasure to offer affordable housing for families in need at such a unique and historic setting” said Reverend John Davies, president, Affordable Housing Society. “I would like to thank the federal, provincial and municipal governments for the funding required to make possible our 75 units here at Woodward’s.”
“Part of our vision is to create a community where persons with disabilities have accessible housing and we're seeing this vision come to fruition here at Woodward’s”, said Ken Fraser, executive director, Vancouver Resource Society. “Our clients are looking forward to moving into their new units.”
In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. As part of this investment, the Affordable Housing Initiative and the federal renovation programs for low-income households were extended for two years, which represents some $60 million in federal funding for B.C. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this, with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing. For B.C. this represents a further $150 million. The Action Plan also provides up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
Increasing
affordable housing, reducing homelessness and helping those who cannot help
themselves is a key agenda for the Province of British Columbia. Through
Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs from
homelessness to affordable rental housing and home ownership.
In 2010-11, the Province will invest over $562 million to provide affordable housing and fight homelessness – more than four times as much as in 2001. To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit www.bchousing.org .
‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness. Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.
CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.
More information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642, or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
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A backgrounder follows.
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Media Contacts:
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Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177
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Susan Thom Corporate Communications BC Housing 604 230-1301 |
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Andrea Scott Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - Communications 604 737-4064
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Charles Sauriol Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – Media Relations 613 748-2799 |
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Michelle Bakos Press Secretary Office of Minister Finley 819 994-2482 |
City of Vancouver Corporate Communications 604 871-6336
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BACKGROUNDER
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For Immediate Release May 28, 2010 |
Office of the Premier
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WOODWARD’S
The new Woodward’s development covers a full city block in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside between Hastings and Cordova Streets, and Abbott and Cambie Streets. The redevelopment includes:
· The nine-storey West Hastings Street building, providing 125 single occupancy self-contained apartments with integrated support services for low-income urban singles, operated by PHS Community Services Society.
· The 32-storey Abbott Tower, providing 75 affordable two- and three-bedroom apartments for families, operated by the Affordable Housing Society, plus 206 market condominiums.
· The 43-storey W Tower, providing nine strata-titled accessible apartments for the disabled, operated by the Vancouver Resource Society for the Physically Disabled, plus 330 market condominiums.
· The original seven-storey Woodward’s building, constructed in 1903, remains intact to house businesses on the main level and offices on the floors above.
· The complex includes an indoor public atrium with a community basketball hoop and outdoor public square separated by a mural depicting the 1971 Gastown Riot.
· Other occupants include businesses, service providers and the 130,000 square foot Simon Fraser University School for the Contemporary Arts.
PARTNERS AND FUNDING
The total capital cost of the affordable housing component of the Woodward’s redevelopment is approximately $49.5 million:
· The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), provided $15 million under the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement and $5.5 million through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP);
· CMHC provided mortgage loan insurance for a construction loan.
· The Province of British Columbia provided $22 million in mortgage financing and will provide $1.78 million in annual operating funding for the singles and family housing; and
· The City of Vancouver provided a $7 million grant, plus the value of the land.
PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
PHS Community Services Society, a non-profit association created in 1993, manages buildings that provide social housing and support, focusing on people with chronic substance abuse issues or dual diagnosis. The society helps promote, develop and maintain supportive affordable housing for adult individuals who are hard to house and at risk of homelessness due to their physical and/or mental health, behaviour, substance dependencies, and forensic history.
Affordable Housing Society
The Affordable Housing Society, a non-profit organization, was established in 1982, to own and manage rental housing for low- to moderate-income families, seniors and single/couples. The society currently manages 3,112 units in 13 municipalities in the Lower Mainland region of B.C.
VANCOUVER RESOURCE SOCIETY for the PHYSICALLY DISABLED
The Vancouver Resource Society for the Physically Disabled, a non-profit organization established in 1972, serves approximately 170 clients. The society is committed to developing innovative housing programs that provide opportunities for people with disabilities to integrate and live independently in the community.
Currently, the organization operates 20 homes and units in eight residential buildings in Greater Vancouver. They also own units and provide housing in Victoria. For more information on their housing programs, employment and volunteer opportunities, visit www.vrs.org.
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Media Contacts:
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Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177
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Susan Thom Corporate Communications BC Housing 604 230-1301 |
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Andrea Scott Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - Communications 604 737-4064
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Charles Sauriol Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – Media Relations 613 748-2799 |
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Michelle Bakos Press Secretary Office of Minister Finley 819 994-2482 |
City of Vancouver Corporate Communications 604 871-6336
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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.
