and I am very blessed to be here, very very blessed. - DL
Our Vision:
To build affordable rental properties in Qualicum Beach, reducing rent for one- and two-bedroom town homes.
Here are some photos of our community:
Qualicum Park Village
Affordable Homes in the Qualicum Park Village
Our vision for the village is to maintain a source of affordable housing for the residents of Qualicum. We particularly appreciate the affordability concerns of young families and seniors, but our development has a diverse community and amenities for everyone:
- The village consists of 34 units, which includes 24 one bedroom units (4 of which are handicap accessible) and 10 two bedroom units.
- The two bedroom units are reserved for families with children. The one bedroom units are available to singles or couples without children.
- The two bedroom units come with a washer and dryer, the one bedroom units are plumbed for a washer and dryer (tenant supplies their own).
- Cable TV included in the rent. All units are heated by electric baseboard.
- Tenants are responsible for their own utilities, except for water which is included.
- There are no age restrictions to live at QPV.
- Each unit has parking for one vehicle. No pets of any kind are allowed on the property.
- No smoking is allowed anywhere on the property.
- Easy walking distance to downtown.
- Close to parks and community swimming pool.
Eligibility Requirements
Maximum Income:
Single person $30,000
Family or couple $40,000
- SAFER is available to those who qualify and apply
- If applicant has 2 children, they must be of the same gender
Kiwanis Affordable Housing Project History
Up until recently, The Qualicum Parksville Kiwanis Housing Society had 20 one-bedroom aging apartment units and a clubhouse. These units were replaced in 2015 with 34 new rental homes. The site is situated in an attractive park-like setting which and provides a social, welcoming environment for seniors and opportunities for families requiring affordable housing.
A Qualicum Beach needs assessment was completed May 2009 and the research indicated a need in the Qualicum Beach area for affordable rental housing for fixed income seniors and families. These needs have been reviewed and a decision was made to build a mixed affordable housing project on the existing site.
Construction started in July of 2015 on 24 single-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom rentals in single-storey, attached townhomes. The project’s proximity to the community park, swimming pool, transportation and the town’s core offers many amenities for seniors and families making the new affordable homes very attractive.
Project Team
The project team was selected by the Kiwanis Housing Society with an objective of using the services of professionals who are members in the community with an interest in sustainable affordable housing development in Qualicum Beach and neighbouring areas.
The Development Team is as follows:
- Owner, Parksville Qualicum Kiwanis Housing Society
- Directors:
- Pat Weber
- Scott Rodway
- Renate Sutherland
- Pat Sullivan
- Bill Bennett
- Guy Slavik
- Project Development Consultants
- Walter Hoogland, Development Manager
- Residential Design (Site, Duplexes and Triplexes)
- CA Design
- John Larson, Principal
- Civil Engineering (Offsite and Onsite)
- Koers Engineering
- Matt Palmer, Associate
- Tim Chapman
- Landscape Architects
- McDonald Gray
- Cara MacDonald, Principal
- Electrical Engineering (Site Lighting)
- R.B. Engineering
- Les Brown, Principal
Fundraising isn’t going to be just during the construction phase, as the years go we will continue to fundraise to keep the rents affordable.
Landscaping
The landscape architecture components was designed in such a way that supports the objectives outlined in the Town of Qualicum Beach Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 700, 2011 (OCP). These items include tree and shrub planting that provide habitat value, enhances the buffer for the 1st Avenue frontage, and integrates parking and refuse areas into the landscape with vegetative screening from residential uses. As discussed in the OCP, screens and buffers within the development do not ‘separate [the development] from the surrounding community by containing the development with walled or fenced enclaves’, but provide a certain amount of privacy screening for residential uses adjacent to public areas (ie: the Community Park).
Existing native vegetation has been retained and enhanced wherever possible. In addition to the soft landscape components of the project, the landscape architecture includes permeable hard and soft exterior pedestrian surfaces, courtyards, site furnishings, fencing and exterior structures.
Social sustainability has been supported with the introduction of tenant gardening opportunities in the form of raised planters. These gardening areas allow for ‘over the fence’ social interaction between neighbouring tenants. Water conservation and environmental sustainability is supported in the use of rain garden facilities throughout the site that slow and clean storm water run-off from the roadways. Gardens have been planted in such a way that it blends the site into the forest park-like setting surrounding the development. The use of native plants and low volume irrigation systems also contributes to the water conservation initiatives.