New affordable housing opens for low-income residents in Chilliwack

Sixty-four new affordable homes are now available for individuals and families with low incomes in Chilliwack, including Indigenous people and Elders.

Cedar Lá:lém is a six-storey residential building at 45835 Spadina Avenue. It offers one and two bedroom homes. The building includes five accessible homes and a residential amenity space.

The project was made possible through the Province’s Community Housing Fund and is the result of a partnership between the Province, the City of Chilliwack, Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society, Aboriginal Housing Management Association and Cheam View United Church.

Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society will operate the building. The non-profit Indigenous housing society develops, manages and administers housing and support programs in the area, primarily for Indigenous people.

The property is owned by Cheam View United Church and will be leased to the Housing Society for 60 years. The building replaces a previous church building and provides a new dedicated community space for the church on the main floor.

“Together with local government and community partners, we’re providing housing options so people can afford to live where they work, raise their families and stay connected to the places they call home,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

The Province, through BC Housing, contributed approximately $29 million to the project, including a grant of approximately $10 million through the Community Housing Fund. Cheam View United Church contributed land valued at approximately $3 million.

The City of Chilliwack contributed approximately $1 million in development cost charges and fee waivers. Mayor Ken Popove said, “The development of Cedar Lá:lém supports the city’s Homelessness Action Plan goal to increase the supply of affordable housing.”