There are officially 58 new affordable rental units in Victoria for families, seniors, and people living with disabilities with the opening of The Oaks – and more are on the way.
The four-storey wood-framed building sits on land provided by the Gorge View Society and construction was funded by the provincial government and the City of Victoria.
“This new apartment building means dozens of families and seniors in Victoria will be able to stay in their community, comfortably and affordably,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing, at a press conference Friday (Sept. 29). “British Columbians can expect to see more homes like these open soon as we work to build housing that gives people the peace of mind that comes with safe, secure and affordable housing.”
The building features a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom affordable units. One unit is fully accessible by design, and 48 others are adaptable. Amenities include a community hall, raised garden beds, and a rooftop deck.
READ MORE: 300 affordable units coming to Victoria’s senior-focused Chown Place redevelopment
Most of the residents pay rent set at 30 per cent of their household income. Twelve units are reserved for people with very low income, such as those on disability assistance, while 17 units are at near-market rates, ranging from $1,600 to $2,100 per month.
“As a non-profit landlord, we are on the front lines of the housing crisis and hear from seniors and families daily who are desperate to find a home,” said Jan Kernaghan, Gorge View Society board chair. “As a non-profit developer, we couldn’t have made this significant investment in homes without BC Housing. The Oaks is a beautiful building that reflects a sound partnership with government and years of hard work on the part of dedicated GVS board members.”
Residents have been in the building since at least May, and say they have already been seeing the benefits of its affordable nature.
“I looked for a very long time at market housing and I could not afford a suite. It was just too much money,” said resident Joanne Marvin. “I just pinch myself every day since I moved in here. I was paying 60 per cent of my monthly wage on rent, and to move in here and only pay 30 per cent is just amazing.”
The Oaks is a part of the Chown Place development that is gearing up for its second phase, set to include nine townhouses, 68 apartment units, and a community building, as shown on site plan posters displayed at the press conference.
Three other apartment buildings and another row of townhouses also feature in the site’s master plan.
READ MORE: Victoria gathering joins B.C.-wide calls for protecting old-growth forests
