Helios Project Development – 82 rental units – Colwood
The Helios project at 2006 Sooke Road in Colwood will provide rental options families, seniors and people with disabilities. The BC Government is partnering with Pacifica Housing and the City of Colwood for the project that is expected to be complete by summer 2019. Construction is already underway by contractor Townline Housing Solutions.
The Province will provide $8.4 million in capital funding and $10.2 million in construction financing. The City of Colwood will contribute $328,000 through their affordable housing reserve fund. Pacifica Housing has provided the land valued at approxi-mately $4 million (12 aging townhomes of the Helios project are now being replaced on that land with the 82 new units).
“Our community has been struggling under the weight of this housing crisis, along with the rest of the province, for far too many years,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “I am excited for the people who will be living in these homes. Our government is working hard to create the partnerships needed to build even more projects like this to help people find a place to call home.”
The project is situated on the well-travelled Sooke Road (Hwy 14) across from Royal Roads University. This offers transit accessibility and is considered walkable to Colwood’s commercial core.
“Colwood is proud to support Pacifica Housing on the construction of 82 affordable rental units at Helios in Colwood,” said Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton. “Current housing costs and low vacancy rates can make homelessness a frightening possibility for people with low or moderate incomes. The kind of safe and affordable housing Pacifica provides is the foundation people need to build the life they envision for themselves and their families.”
“We are thrilled to be working with our partners to increase the affordable housing stock for families in the Western communities,” said Dean Fortin, executive director, Pacifica Housing. “People should be able to work in the communities where they live, and projects like Helios make that possible.”
“A variety of housing is essential to the growth of Colwood,” says Colwood Councillor Rob Martin. “Colwood City hall will need to continue working with our development community to create affordable, accessible housing that allows tenants and owners to age in place, and to provide supports for this to be successful,” said Martin.
Vancouver-based Townline Group of Companies (contractor Townline Housing Solutions) is building the new 82 rental home Helios project at 2006 Sooke Road in Colwood.
“To address the issue of housing affordability for British Columbians, the Province is curbing speculation in BC’s housing market and building 114,000 affordable market rental, non-profit, supported social housing and owner-purchase housing through partnerships. Budget 2018 launched the largest investment in housing affordability in BC history — more than $7 billion over 10 years.” ~ BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
This article first published on page 5 in the print/PDF issue of April 20, 2018 issue of West Shore Voice News
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