Capital Campaigns
Como Lake Gardens
Como Lake Gardens will provide 30 units of affordable housing for low-income single mothers who are at risk of homelessness. On land donated to YWCA Vancouver by the City of Coquitlam, Como Lake Gardens will be close to many community facilities, such as schools, community centres, libraries and shopping, and will be well served by public transit, helping maintain the building’s LEED Gold standard.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction through higher performance standards and energy efficiency than normal building practices. To implement a smaller carbon footprint for Como Lake Gardens, the project design team has incorporated green building features that will increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions for better air quality.
The first three readings of the development permit application were approved unanimously by Coquitlam City Council, and we are expecting the fourth and final reading to also receive unanimous approval, allowing us to then apply for a building permit. We hope to see tenants begin to move in to the building in the summer of 2010.
For further information contact:
Celia Campos
Manager, Fund Development
604 895 5810
ccampos@ywcavan.org
Alder Gardens
On April 14, 2008, YWCA Vancouver CEO Janet Austin joined Premier Gordon Campbell, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and Minister Rich Coleman to announce plans for our new supportive housing development in Surrey.
This partnership between YWCA Vancouver, the City of Surrey and BC Housing will build 36 supportive housing units for single mothers, with priority given to Surrey residents. The City of Surrey will provide a 60-year lease on the land for $1, and BC Housing will fund the operations of the housing for the term of the lease, while subsidizing rents.
Single mothers in this community need the support. More than 80% of single-parent families in Surrey are led by women, a third of whom live below the poverty line. And the waiting lists for subsidized housing are long. As with our current housing developments, residents in Surrey will be supported during their stay by a Community Development Coordinator to deal with issues such as employment, legal concerns, poverty and parenting skills.
We are currently undertaking a capital campaign to raise $1 million and your contribution would be greatly appreciated to help us reach our goal of providing housing for single mothers in need.
For further information contact:
Bobbi Sarai
Manager, Fund Development
604 895 5780
bsarai@ywcavan.org
