EllisDon helps address B.C.’s housing crisis
By Adam Freill
Construction ResidentialB.C.’s housing demand is far greater than its supply; EllisDon is committed to doing its part to alleviate this critical problem.
(Photo courtesy of EllisDon)
A collaborative effort between EllisDon, M’Akola Housing Society, and B.C. Housing, the Oliver Affordable Rental Housing Project, in Oliver, B.C., has achieved occupancy.
In an announcement from EllisDon Community Builders, the company provided details about the affordable and supportive housing crisis that exists in Canada – a crisis that is hitting B.C. particularly hard. According to reports, one in every five renters in Canada spends more than half of their income on shelter costs. This means that individuals from all walks of life struggle to find reasonable accommodations in their communities.
EllisDon is committed to doing its part to alleviate this critical problem, helping to advance an inclusive and thriving province through housing development, including the recently unveiled 40,000 sq. ft. Oliver Affordable Rental Housing Project.
The development aims to provide affordable housing for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families, seniors, and persons with disabilities in Oliver. The four-storey building comprises 46 units with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Included in the mix are three accessible suites to fit the needs of persons with disabilities, one multipurpose room inside, one multipurpose space outside, and communal laundry facilities. The building is also pursuing Step Code 3 performance targets, which will help maintain a lower operating cost and provide energy-efficient homes for residents.
The project addresses B.C. Housing’s mandate to develop a range of subsidized housing options across the province and took a simple and efficient project delivery approach aimed at benefitting all stakeholders. The development is part of the first series of projects selected to receive funding through the Building B.C.: Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years that is looking to build over 14,000 mixed-income rental homes throughout the province.
“Although the project’s inception was spurred by a provincial call to action for the development of affordable housing units, it aims to also benefit the Town of Oliver and surrounding areas at a municipal level,” said Paul Schaefer, senior project manager at EllisDon. “We worked very hard to collaborate with local contractors and businesses throughout construction. The development’s end-users add density to the town’s downtown area and will reinforce local business.”
Before entering into a partnership with M’Akola Housing Society, EllisDon (developer and design-builder on the project) purchased the property and developed a proposal that addressed the need for additional affordable housing in the Oliver area. Under the contract, EllisDon led the land development, including rezoning, development permitting, and building permitting, along with the design and construction of the project.
EllisDon is an employee-owned, $5 billion-a-year global construction services company with over 3,000 employees across 15 national and international offices.
