An affordable housing project in Qualicum Beach, which will provide 56 rental units to the community, has been approved for provincial funding.
The development at Railway Street and Village Way will provide homes for individuals, families and people with disabilities, according to the province. It received grant funding through B.C.’s Community Housing Fund (CHF), along with 46 other affordable housing projects in the province.
“Every one of the affordable homes announced today (June 4) are desperately needed and will change the life course for thousands of individuals and families in the decades ahead,” said Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association.
The CHF grant will provide 2,455 total rental homes in 39 communities, according to the province.
The Qualicum Beach project, which is a partnership between the province and the Qualicum Parksville Kiwanis Housing Society, is one of six on the island to receive funding.
The grant will also support housing projects in Courtenay, Port Alberni, Comox, Duncan and Tofino.
Qualicum Beach town council approved a development permit for the project at its regular council meeting on May 27, but decided the building could be no taller than four stories.
The project will consist of eight town homes and an apartment building. It is so far unclear how the height reduction will affect the footprint of the building and the mix of available units.
Kiwanis already changed the design from being six stories at the highest point of the apartment building to five, which increased the footprint, and now has to eliminate another storey.
