More than 100 new affordable homes secured through City’s inclusionary zoning policy

The City of Vancouver has officially announced the Arbutus Centre Affordable Housing project at  4188 Yew Street. The media release is included below. The Arbutus project on Vancouver’s west side will add another 125 new units of affordable homes for residents on lowers and moderate incomes. This housing project was awarded by the City of Vancouver to YWCA Metro Vancouver, and will be operated through an innovative partnership between Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC (ANHBC), Tikva Housing Society (Tikva) and the YWCA to serve the needs of a diverse range of individuals and households in Vancouver. YWCA Metro Vancouver, ANHBC and Tikva bring strong neighbourhood connections and considerable experience in serving the needs of a diverse range of individuals and households in Vancouver. YWCA Metro Vancouver will provide 31 units of safe, affordable housing for single mothers and their children on lowers and moderate incomes. Residents will have access to a range of YWCA wrap-around services to support on their journey to personal and economic independence. The Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC will offer 56 apartments providing affordable rental housing for members of the community, particularly seniors and families, on low to medium incomes.  In 2021, ANHBC will open a new Neighbourhood House that will support Arbutus Centre residents in staying connected to their community. Tikva Housing Society will operate 27 studio and one-bedroom apartments primarily for Jewish low-income singles and couples and 10 studio units for individuals transitioning from supportive housing to independence. 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units at Arbutus Centre will be offered at different affordability levels including:

• 56 lower-end-of-market units with rents approximately 10 per cent below market rate
• 43 units rented at rates affordable to people who earn up to BC Housing’s Housing Income Limits (HILs)
• 26 units at shelter rates
• Studio units will be allocated to people who are ready to transition out of supportive housing. Ten of these will be part of Supporting Tenants, Enabling Pathways (STEP) – the first program in the province to assist individuals who are ready to move towards self-sufficiency.
• 32 family units will be allocated to women-led families

Occupancy is projected to be in later part of 2020.  More information about the project will be released as it approaches the end of the construction phase and pre-occupancy activities commence. City of Vancouver: News Release More than 100 new affordable homes secured through City’s inclusionary zoning policy City selects YWCA as non-profit operator of new housing development  Construction is underway on Vancouver’s west side for 125 new affordable homes – including 26 rented at shelter rate – which are being developed at no cost to the City as part of the new Arbutus Centre at 4188 Yew Street. Developed through the City’s inclusionary zoning policy, which provides social housing to the City as a Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) from the developer, the new homes wouldn’t be possible without the involvement of local non-profit organizations. The City has selected YWCA, with the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia (ANHBC) and Tikva Housing, to manage the building. The organizations bring strong neighbourhood connections and considerable experience in serving the needs of a diverse range of individuals and households in Vancouver. “These homes were secured at no expense to the City, and mean that hundreds of people will have a safe, warm place to call home, where they might otherwise have had to leave Vancouver” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “Housing for residents on lower and moderate incomes is our number one priority and these innovative policies – along with partnerships with local non-profits – are crucial for delivering housing for those that need it the most.” “YWCA Metro Vancouver is delighted to expand our housing services to single mothers and their children on the west side, and work with our partners to improve accessibility and affordability for other Vancouver residents. The YWCA will provide safe, affordable housing, along with access to a range of YWCA services, to support single mothers on their journey to personal and economic independence. We are grateful to the City of Vancouver for the opportunity, and to ANHBC and Tikva Housing for this innovative partnership. We look forward to working with them to build a strong, diverse housing community at Arbutus Centre.” The new homes will be set at a mix of rents, including:

• 26 shelter rate units
  • Studio units will be allocated to people who are ready to transition out of supportive housing. Ten of these will be part of Supporting Tenants, Enabling Pathways (STEP) – the first program in the province to assist individuals who are ready to move towards self-sufficiency.
  • Family units will be allocated to women-led families
• 43 units rented at rates affordable to people who earn up to BC Housing’s Housing Income Limits (HILs)
• 56 lower-end-of-market units with rents approximately 10 per cent below market rate

Along with the new homes, the development will have indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, including a shared children’s play area, and an urban agriculture area on the rooftop. As part of the rezoning, the entire building is secured as rental housing for its lifetime. The new Arbutus Centre Neighbourhood House was also secured as a CAC through the rezoning of the site, and will be delivered to the City in a future phase of development.