People living in a 25-unit affordable rental building in Steveston will only be allowed to earn up to $72,000 and will pay less than 30 per cent of their monthly income in rent – if a proposed housing agreement is approved by Richmond city council.
The housing agreement is coming to next week’s planning meeting, and maximum household incomes are part of the contract.
Those living in two-bedroom units can’t earn more than $72,000 per year, and those in studio apartments will be allowed to earn up to $58,000 annually.
These are standards set by BC Housing.
City council recently approved the housing complex, at the corner of Railway Avenue and Steveston Highway, after the federal government gave a grant of $9.1 million to build it, located on city-owned land.
The units are meant for women and children, and there will be 15 studio apartments and 10 two-bedroom apartments.
There was initially opposition to the proposal from nearby residents, including a petition against the building, but, when it came to city council for approval, that opposition had died down with no one speaking against it.
On the other hand, a seniors affordable rental building proposed by Kiwanis on Railway Avenue, was opposed by several nearby residents at the same meeting. In the end, city council also approved that building.
The agreement further stipulates that the rental units are meant to be permanent housing, that is, it’s not limited to a certain length of time.
Furthermore, the agreement stipulates the units can’t be used for short-term rentals or be sublet.
The rental building will be managed by Turning Point Society.
