In the District of North Vancouver, construction is currently underway for a new affordable housing project, the Hollyburn Delbrook project, which aims to provide 86 affordable homes to the community. This apartment building project is planned to cater to independent seniors, individuals, and families with low to moderate incomes. Construction is expected to be completed by 2025.
Funding for the project was provided by various sources. The BC government’s contribution amounts to approximately $15.5 million, while the District of North Vancouver provided land for the project, valued at $13.2 million and leased it to the Hollyburn Community Housing Society at a nominal rate. Additionally, the federal government provided $78,000 through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The Vancity Community Foundation also financially supported the project with $25,000.
The Hollyburn Delbrook project features a four-storey apartment complex with varied unit sizes and bedroom configurations. Underground parking, bike racks, outdoor courtyard spaces and indoor communal areas are included as part of the design. The Hollyburn Community Housing Society, a non-profit entity, will oversee the management and operation of these new homes.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly contribute to addressing the housing shortage in the District of North Vancouver. This initiative is part of the BC government’s broader $19-billion housing investment, which has already facilitated the development or commencement of nearly 78,000 homes since 2017, which includes over 1,500 units in the broader District of North Vancouver.
In addition to the Hollyburn Delbrook project, the District of North Vancouver has developed a Rental and Affordable Housing Strategy to address the community’s housing needs comprehensively. This strategy is a guiding framework for developers, community members, council, and staff, to direct housing policies and plans, with the aim of meeting expected demands for rentals and affordable housing.
The Rental and Affordable Housing Strategy specifically targets low-income and low to moderate-income households. By focusing on these demographics, the strategy aims to address the challenges faced by individuals and families in finding affordable and suitable housing options within the District of North Vancouver.
The strategy is aimed at serving families and individuals with income levels that tend to fit within certain segments of the District’s housing continuum, namely the social housing, low-end market rental, and market rental housing segments. The lower, non-market housing end of the housing continuum, such as emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing, as well as the upper, market housing end, such as entry level market ownership and standard market ownership are not being targeted.
