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Modular Housing project update
Mazarine Lodge, which is the modular supportive housing project located at 838 Ewen Avenue in Queensborough, has been completed with occupancy commencing the week of July 27, 2020. It is anticipated that occupancy will take a month or longer to allow the women residents to get acquainted with the building, the staff, and their fellow residents. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no timeframe for an official opening ceremony.
Community advisory committee
The purpose of the 838 Ewen Avenue Community Advisory Committee is to:
- build and maintain positive relationships among the community, the building operator, and the project partners.
- facilitate collaboration, information sharing, two-way communication and transparency.
- identify opportunities to welcome modular housing residents and involve them in community activities and events.
- resolve issues relating to building design, management and operations.
To learn more about the committee, please click here to view the Terms of Reference.
The committee is made up of 17 members from community groups, project partners, and two community members formally called the Community Members-At-Large. These community members are people who have an interest in the community, live and/or work near 838 Ewen Avenue, and are not affiliated with any of the organizations who are represented on the committee.
Project Information
838 Ewen Avenue, a City-owned site, has been approved for a modular supportive housing project. The development will include self-contained modular homes with supports for women who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The housing will ease some of the pressure on existing shelter spaces for women, including senior women (age 55+) who are increasingly finding themselves homeless for the first time due to high housing costs. Approximately one-third of the people in New Westminster who are homeless are women.
Where is 838 Ewen Avenue?
838 Ewen Avenue is a City-owned site on the south side of Ewen Avenue, near the Queensborough Community Centre.
Click here to view a site map.
Project Overview
The project will convert a vacant city-owned lot into a well landscaped, attractively designed multi-unit housing project with landscaping to help transition from the building to the surrounding sidewalks and the parkland behind it.
The project is of modest scale (three storeys) and in keeping with the surrounding character of the area. It will be designed to build upon the existing pedestrian scale found along Ewen Avenue. It will include 44 units of supportive housing (38 standard units and six accessible units) and each unit will be self-contained and include an individual kitchen and bathroom. Common areas will include indoor amenity and program spaces, as well as shared laundry facilities.
Click here to view the project design.
Project Description
The project will be a three storey modular housing building with 44 units (38 standard units and six accessible units). Each unit will have its own kitchen and bathroom. Common areas will include indoor amenity and program spaces, as well as shared laundry facilities. The operating model will include support for the residents to assist with their successful tenancy. It will also include programming and will be managed by an experienced non-profit – Elizabeth Fry Society – and staffed to ensure the residents are supported, that any concerns are addressed in a timely manner and that the building and grounds are safe and well maintained.
Funding and Program
The Provincial Government, as part of its ‘2017 Budget Update,’ is investing $291 million to support the construction of 2,000 modular housing units for people who are homeless and more than $170 million to provide 24/7 staffing and support services. This initiative is in response to the growing issue of homelessness and housing insecurity throughout British Columbia. The City of New Westminster is one of a number of municipalities across the Province where modular housing projects are being considered.
838 Ewen Avenue was recently acquired by the City of New Westminster and the City will retain ownership of the land, and lease the site to BC Housing, the responsible Provincial agency for this initiative. BC Housing will provide the modular housing units and supply the operating funds, and will also be responsible for site development costs.
Population to be served
This development will provide safe and affordable housing for women over the age of 19 with low-income who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, and who would benefit from having additional support to maintain housing.
Accountability Framework
The project will be managed by an experienced non-profit operator – Elizabeth Fry Society – and staffed to ensure that the residents are supported. The operator will address any concerns in a timely manner and ensure that the building and grounds are safe and well maintained. A tenant selection process will be employed to ensure that residents are suitable candidates for supportive housing in a neighbourhood setting. A Community Advisory Committee will be established to build and maintain positive relationships amongst the community, the building operators and program partners.
Development Process
- February 19, 2018: Council Report - Possible Modular Housing Projects
- April 9, 2018: Preliminary Report to Council
- April 10, 2018: Presentation to the Queensborough Residents' Association
- April 11, 2018: Presentation to Queen Elizabeth Elementary School PAC
- April 24, 2018: Presentation to the New Westminster Design Panel
- May 1, 2018: Open House, Queensborough Community Centre
- Summary of feedback
- Feedback form (deadline: May 4, 2018)
- Open House Boards
- May 15, 2018: Presentation to the Advisory Planning Commission
- May 16, 2018: Presentation to Queensborough Middle School PAC
- May 28, 2018: Council Report - Consideration of First and Second Readings for OCP and Rezoning
- June 11, 2018:
- June 26, 2018: Public Hearing
- July 9, 2018: Adoption of OCP Amendment Bylaw and Zoning Amendment Bylaw; DP Issuance
- Detailed Answers to Community Questions
- Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Community Updates