NEW BUILDING WITH LARGER UNITS AT HILLSIDE GARDENS

BURNABY – Hillside Gardens can now accommodate larger families with the addition of a new building which includes three and four-bedroom apartments in Burnaby. This building replaced the one damaged in a 2007 fire, announced Richard Lee, MLA for Burnaby North.

“The reconstruction of this building is a vital addition for residents and the community,” said Lee. “Hillside Gardens plays a pivotal role in helping families, many of whom are new to Canada, achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency. I would also like to recognize S.U.C.C.E.S.S for their ongoing efforts to make these transitions as seamless as possible.”

Previously, the building contained only two-bedroom units. After residents and the community identified a need for apartments that could accommodate larger families, the original 11 apartments were redesigned in order to incorporate larger units into the existing building footprint. The new building has eight apartments that include five two-bedroom units, one three-bedroom unit, and two four-bedroom units. There is also a new common area for residents.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S manages and operates Hillside Gardens and is a multi-service agency promoting a multicultural society through the well being of all Canadians, immigrants and refugees. They support B.C. communities by providing individuals, families and communities with advocacy and culturally appropriate services with a focus on social, education, health, employment, business and community development.

“The addition of these new, larger units will help us address the housing needs of our larger families,” said Thomas Tam, Chief Operating Officer of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. “Many of our families are new to Canada and we are committed to supporting their needs by providing housing and services that make the transition to their new home easier.”
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will assign the new units based on need, with preference given to current residents with larger families.

Hillside Gardens is a 162-unit multi-building, family housing development; located at 7434 Kingsway. The Province has committed to converting approximately 100 of the units to subsidized housing for families who are low-income or new to Canada.  To date, already 90 of those units have been converted, with the remainder to follow. Residents who qualify for subsidy will pay a maximum rent of 30 per cent of their income. Residents not eligible for subsidized housing will continue to pay lower-end-of-market rent.
In 2010/11, the Province will invest over $562 million to provide affordable housing and fight homelessness - more than four times as much as in 2001.

Through Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and home ownership. To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit http://www.bchousing.org/.

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