8 years ago · admin · Comments Off on North Shore non-profits merge to build additional low-income housing

North Shore non-profits merge to build additional low-income housing

The Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society, formed earlier this year by merging the housing operations of the North and West Vancouver Kiwanis, currently operates more than 660 below-market seniors’ apartments.

Affordable housing needed

Patrick McLaughlin, president of the Society, says that the need for affordable housing continues to grow, and there are waiting lists for the seniors’ units in the eight buildings operated in North and West Vancouver. In addition, neighbourhood redevelopment on the North Shore is causing a shortage of affordable housing for low-income families and people with disabilities.

“There is a huge need for affordable rental housing on the North Shore, and the shortage impacts the most vulnerable members of our community who are unable to afford market rents,” he says. The Society has a mandate to serve low-income families and people with disabilities as well as seniors, and new developments will have the potential to serve all three groups.

Kiwanis seeking development opportunities

McLaughlin notes that the Society has extensive experience in working with all levels of government and private developers to build and manage low-income housing: “Now that our North Vancouver and West Vancouver operations are merged, we will be able to develop new housing projects more quickly, and with greater operating efficiency.”

The North Shore Kiwanis Housing Society will continue to reach out to previous partners, including BC Housing and the North Shore municipalities, to find opportunities to develop more housing.

For more information, please contact the North or West Vancouver offices.