49 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

From Aryze Developments:

A unique partnership between Aryze Developments and the Legion Manor Victoria is seeking to provide nearly 200 homes for seniors and the Central Saanich workforce through a collaborative development proposal. Located at 1934-66 Hovey Road & 7551 East Saanich Road, the proposal includes two multi-family purpose-built rental buildings, one of which will be owned and operated in perpetuity by the Legion Manor Victoria, made possible by Aryze selling a portion of the land to the society at well below market value.

For more than 50 years, Legion Manor Victoria has provided affordable housing for veterans and adults 55+ at their existing facility, which is the neighbour to the north of the proposed development site. This proposal will bolster the successful program they have developed over the last five decades by increasing the number of homes they will own and operate directly adjacent to their existing facility, which currently holds a 2-5 year waitlist, with over 160 seniors—including veterans—seeking independent living suites, and close to 20 seniors waiting for assisted living suites.

“Many in the community know—this isn’t the first time we have attempted to develop in response to the growing demand for our services,” says Rod Hughes, President of the Legion Manor Victoria. “Our development committee has looked at expansion opportunities over the last several years, but nothing has gone forward, as affordable and suitable land in Central Saanich is so limited. Aryze’s approach to sell the land at a discounted price is what has made this expansion possible.”

Aryze Developments acquired the land, which is a five lot assembly along Hovey Road. As part of the partnership, Aryze will transfer the eastern portion of the land to Legion Manor Victoria, subject to receiving funding from BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund to deliver affordable housing for seniors.

“Our team approached the Legion Manor Victoria early on in the development process, in the hopes of providing an opportunity to expand their services and meet the demand of affordable seniors housing,” says Melanie Ransome, Director of Communications & Engagement. “The need is immense and this proposal represents an opportunity to take a solid step towards a long-term solution for some of our community’s most vulnerable.”

In this proposal, the West Building (Market Rental) will contain approximately 133 homes ranging from studio to 3-bedroom and the East Building (Legion) consists of 62 affordable studio and 1-bedroom units for seniors. The design emphasizes the proximity of the existing facility by ensuring ease of access between the two properties with a pedestrian pathway that connects the West Building (Market Rental) and the East Building (Legion) with the existing Legion facilities.

Aryze is in advanced discussions with Shoreline Medical and the Saanich Peninsula Hospital to form an agreement to secure housing for nearby healthcare workers in the West Building on the 2 acre site.

http://aryze.ca/1934hovey

[Victoria Watcher]

Team-up could be a housing win for Saanich seniors and workers

 

Saanich housing crisis is putting the squeeze on, but a new project will ease pressure for some

 

https://www.capitald...ors-and-workers

 

 

 

Cool, they are trying to build this project in Central Saanich, but according to the reporter, it'll just be for Saanich people.  And it's a Saanich program that makes this Central Saanich project possible.

 

Last week, Aryze Developments and Legion Manor Victoria announced they were joining forces to provide housing for seniors, senior veterans and workers in Saanich.

 

By partnering with the Manor, Aryze is able to take advantage of Saanich’s new Development Cost Charge Reduction bylaw based on the criteria that the Legion’s building will be a not-for-profit rental housing development that includes an assisted living development and is owned by the not-for-profit society incorporated under the Societies Act.

 

The development also hopes to target people wanting to age in their community but also to grow with it.

 

In the largest municipality in the CRD, finding staff and workers for growing businesses has become a challenge because housing costs are driving people away from bigger centres like Saanich to more affordable places in the region. Without housing options, its workforce is also looking elsewhere for work. That’s not good for business.

 

 

 

 

 

My tax dollars paid for this article.  Not sure I got my moneys worth.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 November 2023 - 06:53 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Ugh.   

 

https://www.linkedin...idate-95433350/

 

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 November 2023 - 07:00 AM.

[Mike K.]

So there’s no actual connection to Saanich here, it’s just a mistake on the reporter’s part? Or is Saanich involved in this?

[Victoria Watcher]

The reporter is new in town, from Toronto.  And likely has no idea there is a municipality named Central Saanich.  I suspect when she read all the references to same, she assumed it was the "middle part of Saanich".

 

The TC got the facts right:

 

 

https://www.timescol...veloper-7881779

 

 

This is the comedy part:

 

By partnering with the Manor, Aryze is able to take advantage of Saanich’s new Development Cost Charge Reduction bylaw based on the criteria that the Legion’s building will be a not-for-profit rental housing development that includes an assisted living development and is owned by the not-for-profit society incorporated under the Societies Act.

 

 

That's just completely made up.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 November 2023 - 07:29 AM.

[Mike K.]

It was written all over Aryze’s press release.

An editor should have caught this. Oops. Welcome to the zaniness of the CRD. Hopefully Sidney knows there are 12 councils in the CRD, and multiple unincorporated areas.

[Victoria Watcher]

An editor should have caught this. Oops. Welcome to the zaniness of the CRD. Hopefully Sidney knows there are 12 councils in the CRD, and multiple unincorporated areas.

 

There are 13.

 

4 core.

3 Peninsula.

6 west shore.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 November 2023 - 07:48 AM.

[Mike K.]

*12 other councils, is what I meant.

Oops as well.

[aastra]

Please, let's not start arguing about whether vibrantvictoria.ca is better than vibrantsaanich.ca.

[Nparker]

I believe it's spiritedsaanich.ca.

[aastra]

That's the spirit.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Mike K.]

Probably a wise decision.

[Victoria Watcher]

A development proposal that would bring nearly 200 rental units to Central Saanich, including homes for seniors and below-market rentals, will get another chance at council.

 

Central Saanich councillors initially voted in late October against sending the joint proposal from Aryze Developments and the South Vancouver Island Housing Society to a public hearing.

 

But on Monday, councillors voted unanimously to reconsider that decision at a Nov. 25 meeting.

 

The development at the corner of Hovey and East Saanich roads would see five single-family homes replaced with a six-storey building with 62 rental homes for seniors, and a four-storey building with 130 rental units, 13 of which would be rented at below-market rates.

 

The seniors’ housing in the proposed development would be owned and operated by South Vancouver Island Housing Society, which already operates Legion Manor Victoria retirement community next door, which offers affordable housing for seniors and veterans.

 

Rod Hughes, president of the society, said councillors at the initial vote were concerned about the project’s density, but that number of units is essential to cover the cost of expensive land.

 

“It all adds up such that unless you have density, you can’t pay the bill and have the rent at an affordable level. It’s simple math,” he said.

 

The Legion Manor has a wait list of 100 people, which shows the need for seniors housing in the district, he said. “The need is absolutely there. We’ve got veterans living in cars. We’ve got them on the street,” Hughes said.

 

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...hearing-9772297

 

 

 

Rod Hughes, president of the society, said councillors at the initial vote were concerned about the project’s density

 

 

Everybody knows high-density seniors homes leads to street and neighbourhood chaos.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 November 2024 - 05:36 AM.

[Contractorguy]

great, more government funded taxpayer housing....and you wonder why we pay over half our income in taxes.

 

My issue is truly I see the working age people not saving for retirement, partying, smoking, drinking and not saving a dime towards retirement.  A project like this is a prime example of "why? the government will give us housing"

[Mike K.]

You could have done all the right things, but for whatever reason you never bought a home. Your pension of $2,800/month was fine when the rent was $950, but it’s quite a bit different when you’re facing $2,000. I don’t know if there’s even anything left after taxes on that income.

This project provides affordable rentals for seniors, and then market rentals for the rest. About 60% is market housing.

If we all prosper, and believe me, the government sure prospers from housing values rising (GST, PTT, high value taxation, vacation home taxation) then it’s right that if a society has created a very expensive real-estate market that we do not force people who did nothing wrong but weren’t rich, to end up on the streets.

It’s different when you have young people making the wrong choices, and needing government housing.

[Contractorguy]

Then I guess they can't afford to live in Victoria, BC anymore.  Maybe they have to move to a cheaper city in Saskatchewan or Manitoba.  Just like the people still paying $800 in rent locked in my rent controls while the same unit rents for $2000 next door or maybe their 1960s apartment building will be demolished and they are crying when they have to may more.  We live in a capitalist country, not a communist one.

 

There are more options than being on the streets, they just can't afford to live here and its not my job as a taxpayer to help subsidize that.

 

I wonder if I started a campaign for cheap affordable houses in Beverly Hills or the Uplands?  I don't complain that I can't afford a waterfront mansion on Beach Drive, I know the reality

 

Maybe you like paying 1/2 your income in income taxes?  Then there is property taxes, 12% sales tax, gas tax, road tax, and a bunch of taxes that I can't remember but I know are out there.  I don't and its time we say enough!

[Mike K.]

If the taxes here are too high for you, why not move to Saskatchewan or Manitoba, where they’re lower?

[Contractorguy]

ah I get it, you are an NDP supporter, everyone else pays and you don't.  got it.  after all you are the guy complaining about pennies in road taxes you pay for the Sooke Highway upgrades.

 

I guess you also support the homeless and the huge tax dollars going to support the open sewer that is downtown and the endless buying of hotels to house them.  its pretty clear you do as an NDPer

[Mike K.]

ah I get it, you are an NDP supporter, everyone else pays and you don't.  got it.  after all you are the guy complaining about pennies in road taxes you pay for the Sooke Highway upgrades.

 

I guess you also support the homeless and the huge tax dollars going to support the open sewer that is downtown and the endless buying of hotels to house them.  its pretty clear you do as an NDPer

 

I mean, you're the one supporting the homeless with your taxes, no?

 

If you can't afford the taxes, why not move to where you can? Manitoba and Saskatchewan sound like they have lower taxes.