Construction underway on new affordable rental housing in Sooke

Construction is underway on a new affordable rental housing project that will provide 170 homes for a wide range of people with varying incomes in Sooke.

“Our government is committed to making life more affordable and building a strong recovery for everyone in B.C.,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.

“This new project will provide a wide range of housing options with more affordable monthly rents. We'll continue to work with our federal and community partners to build more affordable homes like these in Sooke and throughout British Columbia."

Located at 2075 Drennan St. and 6418 Sooke Rd., the combined lots will support a five-storey apartment building with a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes.

The project will provide housing for Indigenous peoples, people with low to moderate incomes and people with disabilities.

The project is being built in partnership between the Province, M’akola Housing Society, the federal government and the Capital Regional District (CRD) through the Regional Housing First Program.

The provincial and federal governments and the CRD are investing approximately $10.2 million for the project, while the society is contributing approximately $2.3 million. In addition, the Province is contributing an additional $1 million to improve the affordability of the project.

As part of its funding contribution, the Province is purchasing 29 units in the building so they can be reserved and rented to people with low incomes at the shelter rate. The society will own the remaining 141 units, which will be rented below market rates, and will operate all 170 homes.

The building is expected to open in fall 2023.