As many members are aware from the last update in October, we lost a key member of the multi-family housing team when Denis Loeppky, project lead, passed away unexpectedly.
The team has taken the necessary time to regroup and determine how to move forward in a good way. We are pleased to provide a project update on what has happened since the fall and what you can expect in the coming months.
Project Management and Development
On February 18, 2020, MIB Council authorized the following actions about the Multi-Family Affordable Rental Housing Project:
- Musqueam Housing Authority Association (MHAA) to engage Musqueam Capital Corporation (MCC) as the new project manager
- MHAA to engage Aquilini Development to design and construct the project (selected through a call for expressions of interest issued by MIB in August 2018)
- Comprehensive community engagement to address community concerns about the project
At the same meeting, an interim project report was presented and approved by Council.
Current Project Status
The Multi-Family Affordable Rental Housing Project is now in the planning stage.
MIB is collaborating with MCC to support community engagement on the project and ensure it meets the diverse needs of Musqueam members. Urban Arts Architecture was selected to design the development and input from MIB staff and community members will inform design.
Council and Administration are determining the safest way to hold community meetings while the COVID-19 is ongoing. Until an approach is confirmed, we cannot host in-person information sessions about this project. Instead the project team is focused on supporting other ways for members to stay informed and involved on this important Musqueam housing project.
We plan to host sessions on conceptual design options soon. Please watch for updates.
Project Quick Facts
- The multi-family affordable rental project will be owned and operated by the Musqueam Housing Authority (MHA), a not-for-profit society mandated to provide safe and affordable housing for members of MIB.
- This project presents an unprecedented opportunity to leverage over $15 million in external funding to help address critical housing needs for MIB members.
- The project will address the Comprehensive Community Plan Objective #2: “Addressing Our Housing Needs” which includes actions 4) Build Member Housing and 5) Build Higher Density Housing.
- The project will create up to 74 affordable rental units housing approximately 200 MIB members and their families, as well as a new child care facility, on Crown Place.
- Three in-person community information sessions were held in spring and summer of 2019, with high levels of engagement by members.
Want to stay informed?
- Email [email protected] to be added to the contact list
- Watch for updates here on our blog or on Musqueam’s Facebook groups
- Participate in future information sessions