The Urban Village is in line to be the next piece of the affordable housing puzzle in Chilliwack.
Capital funding of $11 million from BC Housing was announced Monday for Mamele'awt Qweesome Housing Society to build an 80-unit affordable housing project in Chilliwack.
That comes on the heels of City of Chilliwack approval for rezoning and development variance permits in October.
Construction on the Urban Village is set to start in summer 2017, with completion for spring 2019 on the unique complex that will house low-incoming families and youth.
"Today is a very special day for our organization, and we are thankful to the Province of British Columbia for supporting our vision," said Margaret Pfoh, CEO of Mamele'awt Qweesome.
The plan is for a 60/40 split of market rentals to affordable housing units, with the ground-floor for commercial use. Some will be marketed as rental units, while the balance will be affordable units, subsidized by the higher revenue rentals to be able to offer them at shelter rates for low-income families and singles.
The building will be located on Yale Road, between Airport and Parr Roads, and will be "fully inclusive" and serving a diverse clientele. It will be a facility that "celebrates indigenous culture, and welcomes all," Pfoh said when she was in Chilliwack.
Local MLAs were expected to be at Ruth & Naomi's Mission Monday night for announcements about affordable housing investments for at least two projects in Chilliwack, including the Urban Village.
It's part of $500 million boosted investment the province is making in affordable housing across B.C. Last year it invested more than $7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for close to 1,400 households in Chilliwack.
BC Housing plans to work with the society to "fully develop" the Urban Village project plans and ensure the adequate rezoning and consultation is considered before construction.