A new 57-unit affordable housing complex on Mill St. is geared towards seniors and set to open mid-September. A second facility on Uplands Dr. will also open this month. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SENIORS HOUSING

Long-planned affordable housing projects for seniors coming to fruition

Sep 2, 2020 | 10:24 AM

NANAIMO — New affordable rental homes at two housing projects in Nanaimo will soon be move-in ready.

A 57 unit affordable housing project on Mill St. is provided by the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society and is set to open in mid-September. Each one-bedroom apartment, designed for seniors rents for between $935 and $1,135, which includes services such as internet, cable and laundry.

Andrea Blakeman, CEO of the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, said they worked hard to include the amenities seniors need to stay connected.

“Now more than ever, seniors need to be connected in every way possible with family, friends and services, and this project ensures even those at the most modest of income levels have access to those essential connections.”

The project was previously proposed by the Mount Benson Senior Citizens Housing Society, which was amalgamated into the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society in 2018.

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It received $11.3 million from the province.

Affordable and accessible townhouses are also set to open in mid-September in central Nanaimo.

The Nanaimo Association for Community Living project at 3425 Uplands Dr. includes 28 one-bedroom townhouses, with 12 designed to be accessible for those with developmental disabilities.

The Association is funding four full-time staff members at the housing site to provide services and supports to each individual.

The accessible units are $500 a month, with the remainder costing $800 a month.

Randy Humchitt, deputy executive director of the Association, said the more than decade long project is a “realization of a lifelong dream.”

“This project represents the continued evolution of services for people with diverse abilities; a movement towards inclusion and honouring that the people we serve want and deserve housing options that are as diverse as they are.”

The long-term dream was achieved with nearly $7 million from the province.

The rents at the Uplands housing far well below what most affordable housing projects rent for.

You can find out more about what affordable housing means and how prices are determined here.

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