$60 million seniors’ development opens in Richmond

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RICHMOND – Seniors living on low incomes are benefiting from 296 new affordable rental apartments at Kiwanis Towers, which officially opened near Richmond’s city centre today.

Owned and operated by the Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society, Kiwanis Towers more than doubles the number of seniors’ affordable rental units originally available at the site. It previously contained a 122-unit seniors’ housing complex owned and managed by the society since 1961.

Located at 7378 and 7388 Gollner Avenue., the development is composed of two 15-storey buildings adjoined by a single-storey podium and includes secured parking, laundry facilities, a fitness area, shared amenity space, patio areas, landscaped outdoor spaces, walking paths and community gardens.

Residents moved into the first tower in March of this year and began moving into the second tower on July 13.

Project partners and funding:
·         The B.C. government is providing up to $16.3 million in long-term financing.
·         The City of Richmond provided a capital contribution of approximately $20.8 million for construction costs and a capital grant of $3.3 million to offset development cost charges and associated fees.
·         Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society contributed the land valued at approximately $12.9 million and approximately $21 million in equity.

Quotes:
Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond Centre, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism:
“Our seniors’ population is growing, and developments like these help seniors remain independent and active members of our community. Kiwanis Towers not only provides stable housing, but the independence our seniors deserve, for many years to come.”

Darryl Plecas, MLA for Abbotsford South, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for Seniors:
“The Ministry of Health’s priority is to support the health of all British Columbians, with a strategic focus on strengthening supports for seniors’ independence, quality of life and care at a local level. Complexes like Kiwanis Towers not only provide affordable housing, but homes within a supportive community that enable seniors to live independently for as long as possible.”

Mayor Malcolm Brodie, City of Richmond:
“We are delighted to share in the creation of nearly 300 new affordable homes for seniors in the heart of our city. This is an important milestone for our City’s Affordable Housing Strategy and helps meet a critical area of need within our community. This couldn’t have been achieved without the support of our partners, especially Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society for being significant leaders in meeting senior housing needs in our community for more than half a century.”

Peter So, president, Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society:
“The Richmond Kiwanis Club and its Housing Society have provided affordable housing for Richmond seniors since the early 1960s. With the assistance from the B.C. government and the City of Richmond, the club is proud to say that the original Minoru Boulevard site has been redeveloped into two high-rise towers, enabling the club to more than double the original number of homes available for seniors with low incomes.”

Neil Chrystal, president and CEO of Polygon Homes:
“Working with the City of Richmond, Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society, and BC Housing in the redevelopment and construction of these new residences was a unique and valuable partnership for Polygon. Today it is very rewarding for us to see the seniors settled and living in this new community.”

Quick Facts
·         Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors, and families.
·         This year, more than 102,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
·         Last year, the B.C. government invested over $9.4 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 3,600 households in Richmond, which includes providing support for more than 1,700 senior households.
·        This project addresses major priorities of the City of Richmond’s Affordable Housing Strategy. Since Council adopted the strategy in 2007, the City has secured commitments to create more than 1,700 affordable housing units in Richmond, with another 123,000 square feet of new residential rental space for which unit numbers are yet to be determined. The entire project amont provided by the City of Richmond is through the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve, funded by current and future developer contributions.
·         Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society was incorporated in 1959 and has the primary responsibility of providing quality low cost housing to Richmond’s seniors at Kiwanis Towers. For more information, visit: www.richmondkiwanis.ca
·        Polygon Minoru Affordable Seniors Homes Ltd was hired as the development and construction managers of the two buildings in conjunction with their adjoining market residential development.