A deal between the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC), the City of Victoria and School District 61 is underway to create space for more affordable housing in Fernwood.
The three parties entered into a Letter of Intent to redevelop the existing property and the land surrounding the townhouse complex at 1211 Gladstone Ave. The Caledonia Project is funded in part by the recently announced $492 million in provincial funding for affordable housing, as well as $1 million from the CHRC.
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The letter supports demolition of the current townhouse complex, and construction on the current site and the adjoining vacant lot.
At this point, the CRD does not have an official plan for current tenants.
“This will take some time to work out and construct, but we are meeting with the tenants about it on an ongoing basis,” said Andy Orr, senior manager for CRD communications in an email, who added the current complex was old and needed replacing. “We have many other CRHC properties.”
| The townhouse complex at 1211 Gladstone Ave. will be demolished for a new affordable housing complex in a deal between the City of Victoria the Greater Victoria School District 61 and the Capital Region Housing Corporation. Part of this deal includes a land swap that gives SD61 land running from Gladstone Avenue to Grant Street. (Google Maps) |
The proposed agreement also sees a land swap between the City of Victoria and SD61; the City will transfer four vacant lots within the project area in exchange for nearby SD61 properties which currently support the Compost Education Centre, community gardens and part of Haegert Park.
This land swap will allow SD61 to conglomerate a larger parcel of land from Gladstone Avenue to Grant Street which they can then lease to the CRD.
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“We are excited to collaborate with the School District and housing providers as we work towards creative ways to increase the availability of affordable housing for families and residents in Victoria,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps in a statement. “Through this strategic land exchange we will be able to support both an important housing project and ensure that community garden and green space and the Compost Education Centre continue to benefit the community in the future.”
The proposed project would create 155 units, including 38 one-bedroom units, 97 two-bedroom units, 16 three-bedroom units and four four-bedroom units.
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