District of North Vancouver council will discuss amending zoning and housing agreement at an upcoming meeting to reduce the age limit for the newly constructed Kiwanis building in Lynn Valley.
The change will reduce the age limit at the affordable rental building at 2551 Whiteley Court from 65 years and older to 55 years and older. The housing agreement would also reduce the age requirements for 21 low-income units from 65 years and older to 60 years and for 85 low-to-moderate income units from 65 years and older to 55 years and older.
In 2019, while DNV rezoned the property, it specified that the building would be populated with residents aged 65 and older.
In June, however, Patrick McLaughlin, the president of the Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society, appeared before council and asked them to amend the bylaw so the age limit can be lowered from 65 to 55. McLaughlin told the North Shore Daily Post that BC Housing has also agreed to provide financial relief to Kiwanis in case of a deficit from rental operations.
DNV Council waived the requirement for a public hearing on the bylaw amendments on July 28 and will consider the bylaw amendments at the September 19.
Reducing the minimum age to from 65 to 55 years is critical to the Lynn Woods rental program, says Patrick.
“Most tenants over age 65 years who need affordable rental housing are no longer working and do not have enough income for Less Than Market unit rents which have been set at $1,570/m. If the age limit is set at 55 years, Kiwanis can find tenants who are still working and have the necessary income. Kiwanis has also changed its marketing program to offer Less Than Market units with the first month rent free,” he said.
“Many North Shore residents need affordable housing and Kiwanis is confident that we can help them with the support of BC Housing and the District of North Vancouver. All three organizations are committed to providing affordable rental housing on the North Shore and are working together to achieve that objective.”
Comments
NOTE: The North Shore Daily Post welcomes your opinions and comments. We do not allow personal attacks, offensive language or unsubstantiated allegations. We reserve the right to edit comments for length, style, legality and taste and reproduce them in print, electronic or otherwise. For further information, please contact the editor or publisher, or see our Terms and Conditions.