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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.