Seniors with low-incomes are now able to apply to live in a brand new unit at Kiwanis Towers, a two-tower, affordable housing development for seniors currently under construction between Minoru Park and Richmond Centre.
The 294-unit development replaces an old 122-unit complex and will be operated by Richmond Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society in conjunction with BC Housing and the City of Richmond.
Tenants of the old complex will get first dibs, should they choose to relocate again.
They can expect to move in as early as March, 2015 as the first tower nears completion on the northeast side of the property.
Tenants must not earn more than $38,000 per year per individual or $44,000 per year per couple, according to a City of Richmond news release Thursday.
The city stated the second tower should be complete by August, 2015.
Richmond contributed $20.8 million, using money from is affordable housing capital reserve, which is funded by development cost charges.
The provincial government contributed 19.7 million and Kiwanis contributed $21 million by selling land to developer Polygon Homes Ltd.
Applications can be submitted at richmondkiwanis.ca.
By densifying the property, the developer will be now be able to build three other market-driven residential towers, known as Carrera.
Renovated hospital wing opened
Should you visit Richmond Hospital anytime soon, you will now notice a newly renovated west wing entrance and lobby, which has officially been renamed the Milan Ilich Pavilion, following an unveiling ceremony Friday.
Formerly known as the Westminster Health Centre, the rebranded pavilion got a $2 million facelift that features a redesigned atrium, a new patient and family resource centre, a spiritual sanctuary room, as well as a quiet room for private family meetings.
The renovations also added a new colour-coded way-finding system.
The west wing’s non-emergency front entrance also has a big sign bearing the new name. The foundation renamed the health centre after the late philanthropist and community leader Ilich, given his foundation has donated in excess of $10 million to the hospital.
“Milan Ilich was an exemplary donor. Both he and his wife Maureen gave generously and Milan always wanted to inspire others to give as well, regardless of the size of gift,” said Natalie Meixner, president & CEO, Richmond Hospital Foundation.
“It is our deepest honour to name this building after Milan to recognize his achievements to improve health care across many areas of our hospital. The Milan Ilich Pavilion serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of giving and inspiring others to give to advance health care in our own community for ourselves and our loved ones,” added Meixner.
The ceremony also kicked off a month-long donation drive by the foundation.
The seventh annual Community Cares Month drive is intended to give the foundation’s coffers a boost to continue more renovations as well as add services and equipment that focus on specific needs of the Richmond community.
“Donors, families, grateful patients, businesses and community organizations are essential to improve local health care in Richmond,” said Doug Johnson, Board Chair, Richmond Hospital Foundation.
