December 11, 2017

Construction projects to help improve housing capacity in Powell River

Powell River’s affordable housing crunch will improve in the coming months with a number of new projects, according to City of Powell River councillor Maggie Hathaway.

Hathaway, who holds council’s housing portfolio, said while seniors and lower-income families continue to struggle to find affordable rental accommodation in the city, new housing construction projects are in the works to meet some of the need.

“When you look at everything that’s in the works, it looks like it is going to take care of itself,” said Hathaway.

The city is estimating it will top $15 million of new construction in 2017 with more larger projects expected for 2018.

Hathaway said between larger projects and smaller, and multifamily buildings being planned elsewhere in the city, the new capacity will help improve the variety of housing and help some of Powell River’s seniors downsize into more appropriately sized accommodations. Two of the larger projects are Coastal Winds, the 75-unit assisted-living project to be located next to Powell River General Hospital, and Sunset Homes Society’s planned 40-unit townhouse project at the former location of Max Cameron Secondary School.

City director of planning Thomas Knight said the city has been seeing local and outside developers recognizing a market for downsizing seniors and for more apartment buildings.

“It’s one of the areas planning staff is trying to target,” said Knight.

The city has been working with developers to shift their projects from larger single family homes to multifamily developments, he added.

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