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The tallest structure of BC Housing's Nigel Valley Development in Saanich could rise to 16-storeys and will contain a mix of market and affordable rental apartments.
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Families, seniors and people living with disabilities in Saanich will soon have access to 70 new affordable rental homes as the next stage of the Nigel Valley housing redevelopment gets underway.
“These new homes will offer welcome relief for people in the Saanich area, especially families and people living with disabilities, who want to be able to live affordably in the community they know and love,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “I’m excited to see doors open on these homes, and others underway through the Nigel Valley redevelopment, as I know they will create a connected, caring community.”
Located at 856 Nigel Ave., the five-storey apartment building will have a mix of studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes for people with low or moderate incomes. Four of the units will be wheelchair accessible, while the remaining units are universally designed so they can be used by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.
The building is part of the Nigel Valley housing redevelopment, which will provide approximately 800 new homes for a range of people in need. With a $250-million funding commitment, Nigel Valley is the largest investment in affordable housing in Vancouver Island’s history.
“This project is a great example of how strong partnerships can address the need for affordable homes for people in Saanich,” said Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “I know how significant a difference this building will make for the people who will call it home. Our government will continue to work with community partners on Nigel Valley and other projects like this to deliver the affordable housing British Columbians need and deserve.”
The 70 new homes will be operated by the Greater Victoria Housing Society (GVHS), which will also have office space in the building..
“Greater Victoria Housing Society is excited to see construction underway on the site,” said Virginia Holden, executive director, GVHS. “Thank you to our funders for enabling these 70 new affordable rental homes serving families, seniors, persons with disabilities and individuals. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to create a thriving and inclusive community in the Nigel Valley.”
The Province, through BC Housing, is providing $22.5 million to support construction of the 70 new homes. The project is further supported with equity contributions from the GVHS.
“This is how we work to address the pressing need for more affordable housing in Saanich – through a collaborative approach with a broad range of partners,” said Dean Murdock, mayor of Saanich. “When these new rental units are completed, they will provide homes for people who have struggled to find housing that meets their needs, at a price they can afford.”
Construction is expected to be complete by early 2026.
This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, nearly 77,000 homes have been delivered or are underway throughout B.C., including nearly 550 homes in Saanich.
After years of effort, Nigel House has been reborn just steps from its old location.
It includes a long-term care facility that serves residents with a range of conditions, replacing one that was for decades housed in an adjacent 1970s-vintage building not fit for purpose.
With narrow hallways and an elevator too small for wheelchairs — along with many other deficiencies — the building posed ongoing challenges that a dedicated team of staff did its best to work with.
The old facility housed 26 people with physical disabilities, brain injuries, neurological disorders and more, with all of them needing assistance with day-to-day activities.
Ground was broken in 2021 for a bigger, better Nigel House on the same Saanich property as the former site, near Uptown. The new, six-storey $50-million structure has now been completed.
It has 41 complex-care spaces, compared to its predecessor’s 26, and also features 37 independent-living units and 10 affordable-housing units for seniors and veterans.
https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/ancient-bison-bones-unearthed-at-saanich-construction-site-6059582
Loss of provincial Community Housing Fund money has left a society that provides programs for adults with developmental challenges scrambling in the midst of building a new facility with a housing component.
The Garth Homer Society, whose clients often require one-on-one support, moved from its longtime home near Saanich Municipal Hall last fall to a temporary facility at S.J. Willis Education Centre as it moves ahead on the new build.
The society was hoping for a $16-million provincial grant and $44 million in financing for housing to accompany a new Garth Homer facility on the site of the old centre, said chief executive Geoffrey Ewert.
Ninety new homes are planned, including 30 for market housing, 30 for low-income housing and 30 for people with developmental disabilities.
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