Central Saanich: 1934 Hovey Road
Central Saanich: 1934 Hovey Road
Council decides not to move forward with mixed-income rental and seniors housing
Affordable housing for veterans, seniors and healthcare workers falls flat in Central Saanich. Jordan Cunningham, CHEK News, October 24, 2024. This is a mixed-income project, including market rentals, below-market rentals, and housing for seniors.
“We have dedicated affordable homes to healthcare workers starting at $1200 a month which is unheard of for rentals,” said Aryze Developments’ Luke Mari. “And then we have 62 homes for seniors and those rents were going to be around $900 to $1100 a month,” he said.
The plans call for 192 units and 40 per cent of those are earmarked for affordable housing. Mari says it’s taken two years to reach this stage of approval, which has seen support on several levels including the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation and the Tsawout First Nation.
All that’s missing is a green light from Central Saanich Council.
At Monday’s council meeting Mari says a vote took place, but “it wasn’t a vote to send the project to approval. It was a vote to send the project to a vote.”
Council voted on whether to put the project forward for public feedback, but a 3-3 split vote cancelled the motion and effectively killed the project.
“We’re all a little shocked.” Mari says Aryze has spent two years on the project, fronting more than a million dollars in costs. “We’re not totally sure what the next step is.”
Meeting agenda. Video from the council meeting:
30:35 Introduction by staff
33:21 Discussion by council
44:10 Opponent speaks (somewhat irregular)
1:12:47 Closing comments and vote to move forward.
Failed 3-3.
Voting to move forward: Niall Paltiel, Chris Graham, Gordon Newton.
Voting against: Zeb King, Bob Thompson, Mayor Ryan Windsor.
Watching the council meeting and the decision, I think it’s completely understandable for neighbours not to want their street to change, but blocking housing has huge costs for other people.
More
Firearms call ignites supportive housing debate in Central Saanich. Jordan Cunningham, CHEK News, October 2. Given this context, it’s understandable that Central Saanich council would be wary about supportive housing, for people who are homeless or destitute. But this project isn’t supportive housing.
Frances Bula on the obstacles faced by non-market housing in Vancouver, May 2021.
Hamilton non-profits face 'infuriating' delays to build affordable housing, as city looks to change, April 2023.