Crews broke ground on a new project in Qualicum Beach that will bring affordable housing options to the region.
Purpose-built for renters, the new 56-unit housing project will allow for individuals, families and seniors with low to moderate incomes to access affordable homes.
Ravi Kahlon, BC’s Minister of Housing says this is a big milestone for bringing housing to smaller communities which are heavily impacted by housing shortages.
“This is the first major housing project in Qualicum Beach to be funded through our Building BC investments and I know it will have a tremendous impact to the community by providing families and seniors with safe, secure housing to grow and prosper,” said Kahlon.
“Working with partners, we’re delivering affordable housing in all corners of the province, and I’m excited to see this project get underway.”
Work is now underway on the project dubbed the ‘Residences at Qualicum Station’ which will be located at 136 Village Way West.
It will host a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartment units with seven additional three-bedroom townhomes within a four-storey wood frame building.
The Residences at Qualicum Station is situated next to a community garden which future residents will have access to as well as schools, transit and medical facilities all within walking distance.
In order to make sure the homes remain affordable as intended, the Qualicum Parksville Kiwanis Housing Society will own and operate the new homes.
“We are grateful to the Qualicum Parksville Kiwanis Housing Society and BC Housing for their integral roles in bringing The Residences at Qualicum Station to fruition,” said Teunis Westbroek, mayor of Qualicum Beach.
“Together, we are working to build a welcoming community that is affordable for all residents.”
The project was made possible due to a $6.3 million contribution from the province and the promise of an ongoing budget of $313,000 as an operations subsidy.
The Town of Qualicum Beach provided the land which the Residences at Qualicum Station will be built upon which is valued at $3.3 million. They’ve leased the land to the Qualicum Parksville Kiwanis Housing Society for a nominal fee to allow for ongoing operations costs to remain low.
The federal government provided $92,000 in seed money for this project.
Residents are expected to start moving into their new homes in early 2025.
