Affordable housing set for Comox to replace former D’Esterre Gardens building

Fifty-two affordable rental homes for seniors are planned

Fifty-two affordable rental homes for seniors are set to be built in Comox, replacing the former D’Esterre Gardens buildings. Photo submitted

Fifty-two affordable rental homes for seniors are set to be built in Comox, following a provincial government announcement of a new project through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund.

The Comox homes at 1582 Balmoral Ave is in partnership with the Comox Valley Affordable Housing Society and is set to replace the former D’Esterre Gardens buildings, said Fred Tutt, the society’s president.

The provincial fund is supporting more than 2,400 new affordable rental homes in 39 communities for people with moderate and low incomes.

Tutt added the society hopes to have the project complete by fall 2022.

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The Courtenay Low Income Housing Society started in 1990 – due to the efforts of the Comox Valley Lions Clubs. In 2017, the society took over the maintenance management for D’Esterre Senior Citizens Society. Soon after, they took over the general management of both senior buildings under the society.

In 2019, they amalgamated the two societies into the Comox Valley Affordable Housing Society.

A total of 47 new projects have been selected through the fund. More than 1,000 of the new homes will be for Indigenous individuals, families and Elders.

A second project in the Comox Valley to receiving funding is 40 homes for Indigenous peoples in partnership with the Wachiay Friendship Centre Society.

These projects have 50 per cent of units for households with incomes up to $64,000, 30 per cent of units for households with incomes up to approximately $74,000, and 20 per cent of units for households with very low incomes (including those on income or disability assistance).

Roger Kishi, program co-ordinator for the Homeless & Housing Programs at the friendship centre said they are currently in the rezoning process with the City of Courtenay for the project.


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