FG To Invests $150m For Affordable Housing in B.C.

CANADA – The federal government has announced it will invest $150 million in affordable housing in British Columbia, as real estate prices in the province continue to skyrocket.

The money will be spread out over the next two years and is part of the $2.3 billion the Liberal government pledged to spend on affordable housing in the 2016 budget.

Jean-Yves Duclos, federal minister of families, children and social development, announced the funding on Sunday with B.C. housing minister Rich Coleman outside a new development in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

“All Canadians need and deserve housing that is safe, adequate and affordable,” Duclos said in a statement. “Through new investments in housing, the government is helping to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for families and seniors.”

Duclos said the new funding includes $25.2 million for construction and repair of affordable housing for seniors and $10.9 million for the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses for family violence victims.

He said it also includes $50.9 million to address the increasing demand for repairs as social housing units age and to improve efficiency and reduce energy and water use.

Coleman said the province is partnering with the federal government to build and renovate more affordable and supportive housing.

“We will be working with communities throughout the province to identify specific housing needs and determine where the additional funding will be distributed.”

The funding announced Sunday is in addition to the $63 million joint annual funding provided by the federal and B.C. governments under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.