NEW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR ABBOTSFORD

The memorandum of understanding between the Province and the City of Abbotsford commits to the construction of up to 100 units of new social and supportive housing in Abbotsford. The new housing developments are proposed for two sites: Clearbrook Road and Emerson Street.

Sites

• The sites at 3106 Clearbook Road and 2323 Emerson Street are city-owned and will require rezoning.
• Both sites are currently vacant.
• New construction will provide 30 to 50 self-contained units of supportive housing on each site, with space for support services.
• The Province will issue a proposal call this fall to select non-profit housing organizations to operate the developments.
• The City will lease the sites to the successful proponents for a nominal fee for 60 years.
• The City will exempt the sites from property taxes as long as they continue to provide housing and support services for people who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness.
• The buildings will be designed to LEED Gold Certification or equivalent standards.

Process

• Memorandum of understanding signed by the Province and the City on September 29, 2008.
• The Province will pay all costs to design the housing through to the issuing of development and building permits, including consultant fees and disbursements for the two sites.
• The Province will seek funding for capital and operating costs.
• The City will provide the land for redevelopment.
• The City will designate a staff member to ensure the municipal approval process is expedited.
• Community consultation will include public information meetings and formal public hearings through the approvals process.

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The Province’s contribution to pay for development costs is part of the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, which has committed to the creation of more than 4,000 new and upgraded supportive housing units across B.C. The Province’s agreement with Abbotsford follows similar memoranda of understanding to expedite up to 1,200 units in Vancouver, up to 170 units in Victoria, up to 140 units in Kelowna and up to 106 units in Surrey. Budget 2008 increased the amount the Province invests in affordable housing and shelters to more than $380 million a year, more than three times as much as in 2001.Details on this initiative can be found at: http://www.bchousing.org/programs/homelessness/municipal_approvals