The City of Burnaby’s attempt at addressing affordable housing has passed an early milestone.
The city’s request for proposals for interest in the development of non-market housing on two designated sites went live on the B.C. Bid website recently.
The request is intended to generate and evaluate interest in the development of non-market housing on two designated sites under the new City Lands Program for Non-Market Housing Projects. The two properties are located at 7898 18th Ave. and 3802 Hastings St.
The bid states the program allows designated city lands to be leased at a nominal cost to providers of non-market affordable housing, including non-profit and/or co-operative housing associations and senior levels of government.
Coun. Colleen Jordan said the city is hoping that a non-profit organization in Burnaby or the region will come forward with some opportunities to build non-market housing. She said the city is open to different uses including seniors’ housing, co-op or non-market rental housing.
The councillor expects a lot of interest in the proposal, suggesting land value is the biggest factor in the cost of housing.
“It’s going to take the cost of land out of the equation, and therefore with that factor you can actually build housing that can be affordable over the long term,” she told the NOW, noting the terms of the long-term lease still need to be worked out.
Jordan also expects interest in the city’s proposal, now that it seems the provincial and federal government are making more money available, she said.
Earlier this year, the federal Liberals announced they had set aside more than $208 million for the affordable housing innovation fund – roughly double what provinces were previously receiving for housing.
Jordan said it’s the city’s intent to make the program long-term, adding there are other properties in the municipality that could be used in the future.
The request on B.C. Bids closes on Aug 9.
As of 2015, Burnaby had 7,876 non-market housing units or beds in 154 developments, while one-third of all non-market housing units are designated for seniors.
