Submitted by Jacky Durry
Hello,
This is how they keep making new co-ops in BC. This is the most recent of a series of new co-ops dating back to the athlete’s village from the winter 2010 Olympics.
A combination of setting up a land trust from CHFBC, a close relationship with other non-profit housing associations, hard work and good relations with the municipal government, a good relationship with a developer, who is willing to work with so many moving pieces, a co-op community and financing.
From the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC:
Railyard Housing Co-op opens in Southeast False Creek community!
CHF BC and the Community Land Trust are proud to announce the opening of Railyard Housing Co-op at 95 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver.
The 15-storey 135-unit building was developed by Concert Properties as part of its 6.4 acre Southeast False Creek site, The Creek. The Community Land Trust was selected by the City to own and operate the site through the new Railyard Housing Co-op. A pre-registration list to apply to the new co-op filled quickly and the co-op is not currently accepting applications.
The new co-op’s focus will be on affordable homes for a mix of families with children and singles or couples. The unit mix includes 44 two-bedroom and 29 three-bedroom suites. The rest of the building is a mix of one bedroom and studio apartments. Some units have been designed for complete accessibility. The co-op also includes two in-home childcare units. More than half of the co-op’s suites will be affordable to households with annual incomes between $25,000 and $55,000.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the City and Concert Properties to offer so many affordable homes to families in the Southeast False Creek community," said Thom Armstrong, executive director of CHF BC and the Community Land Trust. "The community land trust model is an ideal fit with the City's new Housing Vancouver strategy, and we look forward to our next opportunity to work together."
CHF BC and the Community Land Trust welcome Railyard Housing Co-op and its new members to the co-op housing sector!