Terry Stofer is looking forward as much as anyone to a new affordable and “intergenerational” housing project at the Luther Court complex at Cedar Hill Cross Road and Cedar Hill Road in Saanich.
The 95-unit project will be geared to students, older adults and families as part of what the site’s owner, the non-profit Luther Court Society — started in 1974 by members of Lutheran Church of the Cross — calls a “campus of care.”
There will be common areas designed to promote social interaction and community-support services will be located on the project’s first floor.
At an announcement about the new development on Thursday, Stofer said she got to know how well the society worked when her late parents moved to an existing Luther Court facility, after it came time for them to leave their house.
They lived there for the last few years of their lives, she said, and were treated to a special family-like environment.
The level of caring really showed in the last few weeks before her mother died, Stofer said.
“There were people from the kitchen that came on their breaks and just sat with her.”
Stofer said she would like to live in the new project, and hopefully learn from the younger residents as much as they might learn from her.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said at the announcement that the Luther Court project is one of eight affordable-housing projects in various stages on Vancouver Island that will eventually provide 867 rental units.
All are part of the third intake of the Building B.C.: Community Housing Fund, which supports projects where 70 per cent of units have rent geared to income, with most rents set at 30 per cent of income, and some rents tied to income or disability insurance.
The remaining 30 per cent of units will rent at or below market rates for those with moderate incomes.
Funding levels for the projects from the province are still being determined, but $3.3 billion has been invested in the Community Housing Fund to build homes through 2032.
“We’re doing the work to ensure that there are affordable new homes for a wide range of people, from seniors on fixed incomes to growing families,” Kahlon said.
Luther Court Society board chair Susan Bansgrove said that adding intergenerational housing to the Saanich site is the realization of a dream.
“This program will support an important need in our community,” she said. “We are grateful to the province, through B.C. Housing, for recognizing the value of this program and selecting Luther Court to provide it.”
Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said the Luther Court project is “shovel ready” and is among others slated for the municipality.
“We want to provide housing for people at all life stages that provides a high quality of life, and these projects certainly contribute to these goals.”
Murdock said that Saanich gives non-profit housing ventures “front-of-the line service and attention” so they can be completed as soon as possible.
B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association chief executive Jill Atkey said projects are going on around the province to deal with the rental-housing shortage.
“These new homes are critical for British Columbians experiencing affordability challenges today, but importantly they will also be home to thousands more in the generations to come.”
The redevelopment of the Nellie McClung library branch at 3950 Cedar Hill Rd. is among the other projects on the Island.
“This special community landmark will retain its place in the neighbourhood, but will be rebuilt at double the size and modernized to offer a new, up-to-date, state-of-the-art library facility and amenity space for our community,” Murdock said.
Housing will be built on top of the library area. The project, a partnership with Capital Region Housing Corporation is to include 200 homes for families and older adults.
Murdock said the project is a way for Saanich to use its assets “to have a stake in the game” in providing affordable homes.
“Solving the housing crisis can only happen when all levels of government work together.”
ISLAND PROJECTS
Six other affordable-housing projects are slated for Vancouver Island:
• Victoria — 11 Chown Pl., 77 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with the Gorge View Society.
• Central Saanich — 1183 Verdier Ave., 110 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Capital Region Housing Corporation, in Brentwood Bay Village. Commercial space expected to be included could be used for daycare.
• Nanaimo — 1125 Seafield Cres., 62 homes for seniors, in partnership with Woodgrove Senior Citizens Housing Society.
• Port Alberni — 2866 4th Ave., 40 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with M’akola Housing Society.
• Greater Victoria — Address to be announced, 186 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Capital Region Housing Corporation.
• Greater Victoria — Address to be announced, 97 homes for families and seniors, in partnership with Capital Region Housing Corporation.
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