News
EllisDon Addresses B.C’s Housing Crisis
Mississauga, ON, August 25, 2022 — EllisDon Community Builders (EDCB) is proud to announce the Oliver Affordable Rental Housing Project, in Oliver, B.C., has achieved occupancy.
There is an affordable and supportive housing crisis in Canada—one in every five renters spends more than half of their income on shelter costs, and individuals from all walks of life struggle to find reasonable accommodations in their communities. In BC, in particular, the demand for housing is far greater than its supply, according to a 2022 StatsCan report.
EllisDon is committed to doing its part to alleviate this critical problem, helping to advance an inclusive and thriving province through housing development.
The 40,000 sq. ft. Oliver Affordable Rental Housing Project at 5931 Airport St. in Oliver, BC, is a collaborative effort between EllisDon, M’Akola Housing Society, and BC Housing. The project will provide affordable housing for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families, seniors, and persons with disabilities in this community. The four-storey building comprises 46 units with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. Included in the mix are three accessible suites to fit the needs of persons with disabilities, one multipurpose room inside, one multipurpose space outside, and communal laundry facilities.
The project addresses BC Housing’s mandate to develop a range of subsidized housing options across the province. It provides a simple and efficient project delivery approach that will benefit all stakeholders. The development is part of the first series of projects selected to receive funding through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund (a $1.9-billion investment over ten years to build over 14,000 mixed-income rental homes throughout BC).
"Although the project's inception was spurred by a provincial call to action for the development of affordable housing units, it aims to also benefit the Town of Oliver and surrounding areas at a municipal level. We worked very hard to collaborate with local contractors and businesses throughout construction. The development’s end-users add density to the Town's downtown area and will reinforce local business,” said Paul Schaefer, Senior Project Manager, EllisDon.
Before entering into a partnership with M’Akola Housing Society, EllisDon (Developer and Design-Builder on the project) purchased the property and developed a proposal that addressed the need for additional affordable housing in the Oliver area. Under the contract, EllisDon led the land development, including re-zoning, development permitting, and building permit, along with the design and construction of the project. The building is also pursuing Step Code 3 performance targets, which will help maintain a lower operating cost and provide energy-efficient homes for residents.
EllisDon has worked as a Developer, Development Manager, and Design-Builder for affordable housing projects across Canada since 2010, leading the development, design, and/or construction of over 1,200 affordable residential units across the country.
About EllisDon Community Builders
EllisDon Community Builders(EDCB), a division formed within the EllisDon group of companies, provides development management services for clients who wish to deliver affordable and supportive housing to their communities. Combining decades of construction industry experience and development expertise, EDCB provides an unmatched holistic and comprehensive approach to delivering high-quality, affordable, and sustainable community developments across Canada.
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