The province has announced eight new housing projects on Vancouver Island, including one in Port Alberni.
The M’akola Housing Society has received funding through the province’s Community Housing Fund for a 40-unit project in Port Alberni. The project will include 40 units of affordable rentals for families and seniors at 2866 Fourth Avenue, in the former Woodward’s parking lot.
“The M’akola Housing Society is a trusted leader in providing appropriate and affordable homes for people in B.C.,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “These rental homes in Port Alberni will make a big difference for 40 families, and allow more people to contribute to our thriving community.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced on Thursday, March 21 that this funding means a total of almost 870 new rental homes will be built on Vancouver Island overall.
“Anyone that suggests that you can address housing without making direct investments in housing is surely heading in the wrong direction,” Kahlon said during the announcement in Saanich.
The province’s Community Housing Fund is a $3.3 billion investment to build more than 20,000 affordable rental homes for people with moderate and low incomes by 2031-32. Projects were approved based on several criteria, including prioritized populations and the impact the project would have on the community’s housing needs.
— with files from Mark Page, Black Press