New apartment construction in Esquimalt to include 'deeply affordable' units
Construction is underway on 137 new rental suites for low- and middle-income residents in Esquimalt, B.C.
The federal and provincial housing ministers joined Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins Wednesday to announce more than $20 million in funding for the project at 874 Fleming St.
The six-storey, wood-frame building will include five three-bedroom and six four-bedroom units to accommodate families, according to a release Wednesday from the federal Ministry of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
The development also includes seven studio units that are fully wheelchair accessible.
The new build replaces an existing apartment building on the site. The federal government says all tenants of the original building were relocated to other housing in the community and will have the right of first refusal to rent in the new building.
The federal government is contributing $6.4 million for the new build while the province is kicking in $14.5 million.
Developer Lapis Homes donated $60,000 and Vancity Savings Credit Union provided $19,500 in seed funding and a predevelopment seed loan of $350,000, according to a statement Wednesday from the federal Ministry of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
Once complete, the building will be operated by the Greater Victoria Housing Society.
28 'DEEPLY AFFORDABLE' UNITS
"Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to invest in the redevelopment of this apartment complex in Esquimalt," said federal Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen.
"With nearly 140 units to support families, this project will play a vital role in providing housing options for those in need in the community."
Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean said the new build will "better meet the needs" of Esquimalt residents when tenants return in summer 2024.
The rental price for 68 of the units will be set at 30 per cent of the tenant's gross income. The federal government says 28 of the units will be "deeply affordable," with rents starting at $375 for a studio and $715 for a four-bedroom suite.
Correction
A previous version of this story identified Mitzi Dean as B.C.'s Housing Minister. In fact, she is the Minister of Children and Family Development.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.