A housing project for single moms and their children that is due to open in Coquitlam in two months already has a waiting list.
YWCA Metro Vancouver spokesperson Chantelle Krish said Thursday the 30 spaces filled up for Como Lake Gardens a few weeks after the groundbreaking last May. The YWCA is scheduled to take possession of Como Lake Gardens - a four-storey building at 528 Como Lake Ave. - on March 23, with the families moving into the long-term housing units between March 26 and 29.
Rent is based on 30% of the mother's income and a community development worker will be on site four days a week to help parents connect with YWCA services as well as services such as education and daycare in the area.
Designed to meet LEED gold standards and incorporating "green-friendly" features, Como Lake Gardens is being built on city land leased to the YWCA for 60 years at a rate of $1 a year. The provincial government provided $7.3 million for the project while YWCA pitched in $1 million.
Currently, YWCA Metro Vancouver is developing two other affordable housing projects: Alder Gardens in Surrey and YWCA Cause We Care House in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Meanwhile, officials from RainCity Housing, which is developing and will be operating the new homeless shelter in Coquitlam, last week met with Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore and Sandy Burpee, chair of the Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group, as well as other local stakeholders to review the next steps for the facility slated for 3030 Gordon Ave.
RainCity spokesperson Bill Briscall said no dates have been set yet to consult the public on building the homeless and transition facility, which generated controversy - especially from people living nearby - as the city was preparing to rezone the land in late 2009.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
