A 23-unit affordable housing rental building has opened in Nanaimo, giving tenants a new home in time for Christmas.
All units are studio or bachelor apartments for people with low to moderate incomes.
There are eight units still available for rent, an official with the Ministry of Attorney General and Housing said.
The first tenants started moving in at the start of this month.
The goal is to help alleviate a housing crisis in Nanaimo, where affordable rental homes are in short supply.
The three-storey building at 285 Rosehill St. was developed through a partnership between the province and the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society, which owns and manages the building.
“These new homes are part of our efforts to make sure people in need have a safe and affordable place to call home,” Minister David Eby said in a statement.
The province provided $2.3 million from the Building B.C. Community Housing Fund and $2.1 million in construction financing and annual operating funding for the project.
The society supplied the land, valued at $428,000, and approximately $500,000 for the new building.
The City of Nanaimo allowed for $54,000 in municipal waivers.
The province is working with partners to build 850 new affordable homes, including this project, in Nanaimo for residents with a range of incomes.
The housing is designed for people who can live independently, without on-site supports. However, outreach workers are available to help residents connect with community services if needed.
Units are available to people with a variety of income levels. Rents are:
• $375 a month for four units for people with very low incomes;
• about $539 a month for 12 rent-geared-to-income units for people with low to moderate incomes;
• about $800 a month for seven affordable market units.
Some tenants were selected from B.C. Housing’s housing registry and others by the society.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said this type of housing is needed in the city.
“Addressing the city’s health and housing needs is a priority for this council, and this investment provides much-needed support for our citizens dealing with mental health and addiction challenges,” he said.
Anyone interested in renting in the Rosehill property can send an email to rosehill@vimhs.org.
cjwilson@timescolonist.com
