B.C.'s Housing Minister was in Burnaby Friday afternoon to re-announce provincial support for a pair of affordable housing projects in the city.
Ravi Kahlon was joined by federal and municipal officials at a press event at 6488 Byrnepark Dr., where a six-storey building with 130 non-market rental units for Indigenous families and individuals is currently under construction.
A provincial media release on the event noted the building, which will be owned and operated by M'akola Housing Society, will house a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units and feature rents geared to income.
Construction is expected to be complete in 2026, according to the release.
The release also referenced Eunice Oh Residence at 7898 18 Ave., which aims to blend families, seniors and others from a variety of backgrounds with a mix of low-end market rents for households with moderate incomes, rent geared to income for households and shelter-rate homes for vulnerable seniors, families and individuals.
Provincial funding for both projects has been announced before.
Premier David Eby, then Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, announced the 7898-18 Ave project – a collaboration between the federal and provincial governments, City of Burnaby and the New Vista Society – in July 2021.
Eby announced funding for the Byrnepark Drive project last June, saying the province was providing about $14.7 million through the Building BC Community Housing Fund, as well as a grant of $8.8 million "to address cost pressures to ensure the project remains affordable."
No new funding was announced for the projects Friday.
Through BC Housing the province has also invested in essential upgrades and repairs to New Vista Place and Ernest Winch Tower, which provide affordable housing for 348 independent seniors at 7210 and 7216 Mary St., according to the news release Friday.
The City of Burnaby has a total of 1,040 non-market housing units, including rentals and co-ops, just built or in development on its land and there are more on the way, according to a city report last week.
