Image: M. Vanden Bosch / PML / Federal minister Ahmed Hussen joined Kathleen Mosa, executive director of Wilma's Transition Society, and Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove at a Thursday press conference announcing $10 million to build 18 units of housing at 5732 Vedder Road.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Affordable housing

Federal government announces $10 million funding boost to build 18 units of affordable housing for victims of gender-based violence, families in Chilliwack

Jul 28, 2022 | 10:20 AM

CHILLIWACK — Eighteen units of safe, affordable housing for vulnerable women and their families are coming to Sardis.

The federal government announced Thursday that it will invest $10 million to create an 18-unit housing complex dedicated to victims of gender-based violence at 5732 Vedder Road, right next to McDonald’s.

The City of Chilliwack will provide approximately $179,000 in municipal equity through off-site servicing upgrades.

The 18 affordable homes will feature four one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom homes, and two three-bedroom housing facilities. Rents will range from approximately $900 for smaller units up to $1,300 for larger units, which are below market.

Ahmed Hussen, the federal minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion, joined Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove and Wilma’s Transition House executive director Kathleen Mosa at the event.

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“Everyone deserves a safe place they can turn to in difficult times,” Minister Hussen said. “Our Government is providing support to those who need it most here in Chilliwack and across B.C. Projects like this one by Wilma’s Transition Society, are helping women and children who are victims of gender-based violence with more than just providing safe and affordable places to live; they are providing a key to a better life for its residents. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”

Mayor Ken Popove thanked the federal and provincial government for their role in supplying desperately needed affordable housing in light of Chilliwack’s population growth.

“We are grateful for the work of the Government of Canada and the Government of BC in addressing urgent affordable housing needs in our community,” Mayor Popove said. “The City of Chilliwack is happy to support this project by waiving $132,660 under the Development Cost Charges Waiver for Eligible Developments Bylaw and that Council waived permit fees in the amount of $47,144 in accordance with Council Policy C-15, Supportive Housing Assistance. Providing affordable housing for women and children is an important part of helping to end the cycle of poverty and we know this development is a step in that direction.”

Wilma’s Transition Society has been working with the City of Chilliwack and Canada Mortgage and Housing Commission for the past two years. The project broke ground in April 2022.

“We have seen such exciting growth within our community recently, however with that we have seen unprecedented times for so many through housing shortages and rising costs,” said Mosa. “Being able to aid women and their children through already challenging times is something we as an organization are honored to be able to provide, but to be able to soon offer long term, affordable housing, we are very grateful to be given this opportunity to further support our community. We are so thankful for our partnerships and the work of the Government of Canada through CMHC and the City of Chilliwack in being able to address the issues that these families face and bring this project to life.”

Mosa added that this long-term housing project will give families the ability to start over again once they are past transitional and second stage emergency housing to start their journey of independence and stability.

The complex should be completed by fall 2023.

The property at 5732 Vedder Road was purchased in 2020 for $2 million, according to records from B.C. Assessment.