Seniors in Vancouver now have access to 139 new affordable rental homes that will allow them to live independently and stay connected to their community with the opening of the Vivian Apartments redevelopment.
“We know that seniors want to stay in their community, close to friends and family,” said George Chow, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview, on behalf of Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Everyone deserves a good, affordable home, and our government will continue to work with the City of Vancouver and community partners to deliver more affordable housing for people in our community.”
Located at 6465 Vivian St., the new four-storey, wood-frame building provides studio, one-bedroom and accessible one-bedroom units and includes indoor and outdoor amenity space. The building is located near community facilities, retail areas and transit.
“This new apartment building means dozens of seniors will be able to stay living in Vancouver in comfortable new homes,” said Kennedy Stewart, mayor, City of Vancouver. “Partnerships are key in creating affordable housing – our number 1 priority – and we’re grateful to have worked with the provincial government and Fair Haven Homes Society to deliver this project.”
Fair Haven Homes Society will operate the building. The non-profit society has provided low-cost housing for seniors for close to 75 years.
“With the addition of Vivian Apartments, and the 145 units that opened last January at the McKay Apartments, Fair Haven is proud to say that we provide homes for more than 600 seniors across Vancouver and Burnaby,” said Joy Parsons, CEO, Fair Haven Homes Society. “We are also proud to say that this building has achieved LEED Gold Status.”
People will start moving in on Feb. 1, 2020. The society will welcome back 11 people who lived in the previous Fair Haven building that was on the site before the redevelopment.
These homes are part of the more than 22,000 new homes, including 3,500 homes in Vancouver, that are completed or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments.
Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.
Quick Facts:
The Province provided a $3-million grant and $19 million in construction financing for this project.
The City of Vancouver provided a $1.4-million housing infrastructure capital grant and development cost exemptions totalling almost $1 million.
The new 139-unit building replaced a 50-unit building, which was built in 1966.
Monthly rental rates for Vivian Apartments are:
114 studio units: $1,038
19 one-bedroom units: $1,308
six accessible one-bedroom units: $1,038 to $1,508 (depending on whether or not the tenants are living on a disability pension)