NEW WESTMINSTER – People who are working in or retired from B.C.’s performing arts and entertainment industry will soon have access to 66 affordable rental homes.
Located at 831 Carnarvon St., the new development is under construction as part of a partnership between the Province, PAL Vancouver and Vintop Development Corporation.
“This unique project will give people in our community the peace of mind that comes with safe and secure housing – something that every British Columbian deserves,” said Judy Darcy, MLA for New Westminster. “It is a great example of how working with community partners, we can build affordable homes for people from all walks of life across B.C.”
The Province is providing $7.4 million to help build the eight-storey building, which will provide 25 studios and 41 one-bedroom units for those from arts-oriented professions with low to moderate incomes. Priority will be given to seniors and people with disabilities.
PAL Vancouver will be the operator. The non-profit organization was established in 2001 to provide long-standing members of performing arts professions with affordable housing in a vibrant community.
Vintop Development Corporation is providing a $2 million cash contribution for the project.
Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the B.C. Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.
Quotes:
Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture –
“Performing arts help us discover the commonalities that bind us together as people, creating more resilient and inclusive communities. The affordable housing crisis has hurt everyone in B.C., and this is one way we can give back to people who have dedicated their lives to bringing us entertainment and enrichment.”
Mike Klassen, board president, PAL Vancouver –
“It is widely acknowledged that the work done by arts and culture professionals enriches our communities, and that housing affordability is an acute challenge for many who work in the arts. With the generous support of our partners, many people from this important cultural sector will have access to affordable housing in New Westminster’s vibrant downtown neighbourhood.”
Jonathan Coté, mayor, City of New Westminster –
“The City of New Westminster is committed to working with our non-profit partners, the development industry, and senior levels of government to create new affordable housing, which meet the full spectrum of needs in our community. This project, and others like it, demonstrates the power of partnership and the need for creative and shared solutions if we are to succeed in addressing the region’s housing affordability crisis.”
Luke Yu, president, Vintop Development Corporation –
“Art lives within every person’s soul since the first moment we were born. We at Vintop Development and Domus Homes are proud to partner with BC Housing and the City of New Westminster to bring the Performing Arts Lodge to New Westminster. We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to develop Ovation and performing artists living space with BC Housing. It has been our honour to be able to contribute towards housing for artists who have been persistently pursuing their dreams their entire lives. Ovation and PAL will be a community that incorporates art, performance and amenities into life in the most vibrant, convenient location. Thanks to the City of New Westminster and BC Housing for their efforts working alongside us in getting to this exciting milestone.”
Quick Facts:
In addition to the 66 affordable rental homes under construction on Carnarvon St., the Province is working in partnership to build 44 supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness in New Westminster.
To address the issue of housing affordability for British Columbians, the Province is curbing speculation in B.C.’s housing market and helping build 114,000 affordable market rental, non-profit, supported social housing and owner-purchase housing through partnerships.
The B.C. government is making the largest investment in housing affordability in B.C.’s history — more than $7 billion over 10 years.
Learn More:
A map showing the location of all announced provincially-funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/
PAL Vancouver currently operates a 111-unit affordable housing and theatre complex in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood. To learn more about PAL, go to: https://palvancouver.org/