More affordable housing units could be added to the second phase of an already-approved project in Ladner.
Members of the Affordable Housing Societies made a presentation to Delta council on Tuesday (Oct. 17) to discuss a revised plan for the Evergreen Lane project. A formal application to the city has not been submitted, but council endorsement of the expansion was sought in order to secure funding as soon as possible from BC Housing.
The current development for seniors, families and inclusive housing for persons with intellectual disabilities is a two-phase, 198-unit project and received council’s final approval last year.
The first phase is now under construction and includes 130 housing units in a four-storey apartment building, on the north portion of the site.
The approved second phase is for 68 family housing units in a 48-unit, four-storey apartment building and a 20-unit three-storey townhouse building on the south part of the site. Construction has not yet started on that phase.
The new proposal for the second phase would increase the number of non-market rental units from 68 to 130, with an increase in height from four-to-six storeys for the apartment building, and would require an Official Community Plan amendment.
That would see the Evergreen Lane project expand from an initial 198 units to 260.
“Economic and affordable housing need conditions have changed since the project was approved in July 2022 and there is currently an impetus from federal and provincial governments to have local governments respond to the acute national housing crisis," a report to council notes.
“As such, the applicant has identified an opportunity to respond to current housing needs by requesting additional density and height in order to increase the affordable housing supply, the economic viability for the project and efficiencies for the site,” the report said.
Council agreed to write a letter of endorsement, noting the province has given Delta a housing target and that non-market, as well as low-price market housing, can be challenging to add to the local housing inventory.
