Coquitlam approves 158 new affordable rentals for seniors

The City of Coquitlam council has cleared the way for two affordable housing projects that will add 158 rental homes for seniors in Maillardville and Burquitlam-Lougheed. At a recent meeting, the council endorsed a housing agreement and issued development permits for:

• 290 Laval Square — a three-storey, 42-unit building integrated with the Maillardville Community Centre plaza.
• 602 Sydney Avenue — a six-storey, 116-unit building in the Burquitlam-Lougheed neighbourhood.

Both developments will be built on city-owned land and will be operated by the non-profit agency S.U.C.C.E.S.S., with capital support from BC Housing.

“Once complete, these purpose-built rental buildings will provide much-needed homes for low- to moderate-income seniors,” the city said in a press release. “Construction is expected to begin once funding agreements are finalized and building permits are issued shortly, with timelines to be confirmed in coordination with BC Housing and S.U.C.C.E.S.S.”

In the press release, the staff said the demand for affordable seniors’ housing is increasing as the number of senior-led households in Coquitlam continues to rise. The two purpose-built projects will offer below-market rents aimed at low- to moderate-income tenants.

Coquitlam proposes affordability program

Since adopting its Housing Affordability Strategy in 2015, Coquitlam says it has committed more than $19.3 million from its Affordable Housing Reserve Fund, supporting 872 non-market units, including Robert Nicklin Place and the Hoy Creek Housing Co-op.

Between 2021 and 2024, the city approved over 7,400 new homes, including 1,179 market-rental units and 529 non-market or below-market rental units. Coquitlam is also updating its policies to meet new provincial housing requirements, including small-scale multi-unit zoning and higher densities around transit hubs, while preparing a review of its affordability strategy to ensure it keeps pace with future demand.