New Surrey Housing Development Announced
YWCA Vancouver’s model of safe, affordable housing for single mothers will be extended to a new Metro Vancouver community – Surrey. On April 14, YWCA Vancouver CEO Janet Austin joined Premier Gordon Campbell, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and Minister Rich Coleman at a press conference announcing plans to create up to 172 new supportive housing units on four Surrey sites.
One of these sites will be managed by YWCA Vancouver and provide 36 self-contained, supportive housing units for single mothers and their children. 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. BC Housing will also pay for the all of the construction costs other than the $1 million that the YWCA has committed to raise through a capital campaign.
“While everyone needs safe, affordable housing, women with dependent children are especially vulnerable when they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless,” says Austin. “With this development, the YWCA will be able to provide a safe home and the necessary support services to help residents make a successful transition to economic independence.”
In keeping with the YWCA’s commitment to sustainability, the building will also be green, designed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standards.
Together with Semlin Gardens in Vancouver, Fraser Gardens in Langley and Como Lake Gardens in Coquitlam, this housing development represents significant progress in linking single mother-led families with affordable, accessible housing so they can make the transition to economic independence.
