|
FLEX-PLEX HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PROJECT BREAKS GROUND - August 10, 2007 |
|
VICTORIA – Members of the Canadian Home Builders Association - Victoria gathered today with representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Province of British Columbia, and the District of Saanich to break ground on the Flex-Plex Housing Affordability Project. Speakers included Community Services Minister Ida Chong; Mayor Frank Leonard, District of Saanich; Gordon English, President, Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Victoria; Pat Caporale, Chair, Flex-Plex Housing Committee; and Robert Anderson, President, Habitat for Humanity – Victoria. The Flex-Plex Housing Affordability Project will consist of five titled units, including three accessory dwelling units contained within the larger units. The accessory units can be used as extra living space, caregiver suites, or rental accommodation serving as mortgage helpers. It is the first such zoning in the District of Saanich, and will assist housing affordability for families with limited income. The project was initiated in 2001/2002, after exploratory discussions between Saanich and CHBA-Victoria, led by Pat Caporale, Project Committee Chair. In 2002, CHBA-Victoria applied for, and received, a grant from the Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) Program, to help launch the initiative. The association then approached BC Housing to secure the land, and partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help develop the project and identify families with limited incomes. “The project serves as a template for the future that can be replicated in BC communities and across Canada,” says Caporale. “We appreciate the support of Habitat for Humanity, BC Housing, and the Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) Program - important partners during this process.” “Our partnership with municipal and provincial governments, and Habitat for Humanity has created important new zoning in Saanich, and the opportunity for affordable, accessible home ownership for families with limited incomes,” says Gordon English, President, CHBA-Victoria. “Habitat for Humanity Victoria is very proud to be bringing the community together in the Bethune Flex-Plex project which will see five more families realize their dreams of safe decent and affordable housing for their children,” said Robert Anderson, President of Habitat for Humanity-Victoria. The Flex-Plex Housing Affordability Project was designed by Art Finlayson, A J Finlayson Architect Ltd., and Daniel Boot, Design Consultant. Additional partners include BC Housing, and the Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) Program. ACT is a municipal regulatory reform program sponsored by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and delivered in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Canadian Home Builders' Association and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association. Additional financial support was provided by Coast Capital Savings. The United Way, Home Depot of Canada and BC Real Estate Foundation are whole Home Donors, and various other organizations, such as the Victoria Foundation and RBC Foundation, are providing donations, in-kind services, labour and supplies to fund the project. -30- |
|
|
|
CHBA Victoria #1-3690 Carey Road, Victoria, BC,
V8Z 4C2 |