| Metro Vancouver to Build Below-Market Rental Homes, Child Care in Pitt Meadows | Metro Vancouver to Build Below-Market Rental Homes, Child Care in Pitt Meadows | | <div class="ExternalClass092FB45AB4FB478C80CA7C445C1CB245"><p>Metro Vancouver, through its non-profit Metro Vancouver Housing, will begin construction this fall on a new family-oriented, non-market rental housing project in Pitt Meadows that includes a non-profit childcare facility.<br></p><p>Heron's Nest, centrally located at 19085 119B Avenue, will help respond to critical needs for non-market rental housing and affordable childcare in Pitt Meadows by providing 115 homes for families and individuals, plus a childcare centre with spaces for 150 children.</p><p>“Too many folks in our region are struggling to find good homes. Metro Vancouver is working alongside partners to create thousands of below-market homes throughout the region," said Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver's Board of Directors. “We're proud of this collaboration with the City of Pitt Meadows, which will bring so many benefits to the community and the region."</p><p>Metro Vancouver partners with member jurisdictions that provide land on which Metro Vancouver Housing can build and operate new below-market rental housing. The City of Pitt Meadows approached the regional district with a proposal to lease, at a nominal rate, a city-owned lot on 119B Avenue. Situated in the heart of downtown Pitt Meadows, the site of Heron's Nest is in a highly walkable neighbourhood, close to public transit and local services. The city has also provided support through streamlining development approvals and waiving fees.</p><p>“Heron's Nest is aptly named to reflect the family-oriented nature of the development and the included childcare facility. The heron is also an iconic symbol and emblem in Pitt Meadows, honouring the city's rich riverside nature," said Nicole MacDonald, Mayor of Pitt Meadows. “We are grateful for the significant investment from Metro Vancouver and provincial partners, and the City is proud to provide the centrally located land for the development. This project will strengthen our community by helping seniors, people with disabilities, and families facing housing challenges access safe, below-market housing and quality childcare."</p><p>All homes at Heron's Nest will provide much needed non market housing, with rents set to serve a range of low- to moderate-income working households. About half of the units will be family-oriented two- or three-bedroom homes, and all units will be accessible or meet universal design standards to support people with disabilities and seniors.</p><p>In addition to the childcare facility, indoor and outdoor tenant amenities will provide flexible, multi-use spaces for people of all ages. The building will be designed with energy efficiency in mind, providing tenant comfort while supporting regional climate goals.</p><p>“Housing affordability is a critical challenge facing our region. We believe that affordable rental housing is an essential component of complete communities, and we are committed to increasing the diversity of rental housing choices in the region," said Dan Ruimy, Chair of Metro Vancouver's Housing Committee. “We're delighted to move forward with Heron's Nest — one of the first below-market rental housing projects in Pitt Meadows' city centre, and one of the largest projects of its kind in the city."</p><p>This project would not be possible without the support of Metro Vancouver Housing's provincial partners.</p><p>In April 2023, the Province, through BC Housing, signed a memorandum of understanding with Metro Vancouver, through Metro Vancouver Housing, that will see approximately 2,000 below-market homes built over the next 10 years. The first phase is underway and will provide approximately 660 new homes on five sites — including Heron's Nest — supported with a provincial investment of $158 million.</p><p>“It's no surprise people love to live in vibrant communities like Pitt Meadows, and partnerships like these demonstrate our government's commitment to leaving no stone unturned to deliver the affordable homes people need to live there," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “Adding childcare to the building will also make life easier for families in Pitt Meadows, allowing them to spend more time together enjoying their amazing community."</p><p>The ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund is providing more than $6.4 million to create 83 new childcare spaces. In addition, 67 existing childcare spaces will continue operating thanks to this project.</p><p>Metro Vancouver Housing is a service of Metro Vancouver. It is one of the largest non-profit housing providers in the region, with over 3,400 below-market rental homes on 49 sites across the region, serving close to 10,000 people. A trusted non-profit housing provider since 1974, Metro Vancouver Housing is an experienced developer and operator that delivers, maintains, and operates high-quality housing that is built to last. To meet the growing demand for housing, Metro Vancouver is in an exciting phase of building new affordable rental housing, redeveloping and expanding existing sites, and renewing existing units across the region.<br></p></div> | 9/12/2024 7:00:00 AM | | Metro Vancouver Media Relations | media@metrovancouver.org | | |