On August 9, 2024, the federal government announced its support for the construction of 146 new affordable homes in the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood in east Vancouver. The Sunrise Village project is a collaborative effort involving the federal, provincial, and municipal governments along with Brightside Community Housing. This initiative aims to provide affordable housing for seniors, families, and people with disabilities.
The Sunrise Village project replaces an aging building with 64 apartments to significantly expand affordable housing options in the area. The project comprises two new buildings designed to meet the diverse needs of the community, promoting a multi-generational living environment.
The federal government contributed $10.95 million through the Affordable Housing Fund. The Province of British Columbia added $15.9 million through BC Housing, while Brightside Community Housing provided $23 million in land equity. Additionally, the City of Vancouver contributed $5.5 million through the Community Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) and offered a Development Cost Levy (DCL) exemption valued at over $3 million. Metro Vancouver and Translink also provided financial support, contributing $156,512 and $226,884, respectively.
Construction of the Sunrise Village project is already underway, with completion expected in 2026. The project will be built to Passive House certification standards, emphasizing zero-carbon energy efficiency to align with Vancouver’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Passive House buildings use up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings. This internationally recognized standard is applicable to almost any building type or design.
This project is one of several receiving funding under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). In 2023, an additional $1 billion was allocated to the AHF, bringing the total funding to over $14 billion. The fund prioritizes projects that assist those most in need, including seniors, Indigenous peoples, women and children fleeing violence, and individuals with mental health or addiction issues. Since 2017, the Province of British Columbia has also made significant strides in housing development, with nearly 80,000 new homes completed or in progress.
For details on B.C.’s new Homes for People action plan, visit the BC Government website. To explore B.C.’s initiatives to tackle the housing crisis, additional information can be found on the Housing – StrongerBC website.