Overview
The City of Pitt Meadows is working with Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation (MVHC) on the Non-Market Housing and Child Care Project. This project aims to build a new family-oriented, non-market rental housing project including a childcare facility serving seniors, families, and people with disabilities.
The Heron's Nest building will be located in the heart of the City's Civic Centre at 19085 119B Avenue, this project will help to support the critical need for both non-market rental housing and affordable childcare in Pitt Meadows. This location is also ideal for families and seniors. It is next to the recreation centre, elementary school, and seniors centre, and within easy walking distance of the library, shops, and transit.
Following public consultation, the average project takes about four years to complete.
Learn more about the project and subscribe to updates on the Metro Vancouver Housing project site. Questions? Email 119BAve@metrovancouver.org.
Project Highlights
- Non-Market: All homes will provide some level of affordability with rents set at below-market rates to serve a range of low to moderate-income working households.
- Family Housing: Roughly half the units will be larger (2 or 3-bedroom) to support the need for family rental housing in the City.
- Accessibility: All homes will be either accessible or meet universal design standards. This will support people with disabilities, and support seniors to age in place.
- Sustainability: The building will be high performing with an energy-efficient design. This will ensure comfortable homes for tenants and support actions towards our climate goals.
- Amenities: Indoor and outdoor tenant amenities will provide flexible, multi-use spaces for people of all ages.
- Integrated childcare facility: A non-profit childcare facility on the ground floor will provide affordable childcare spaces for residents and the broader community.
Next Steps
- The project team is finalizing the design of the building and updates will be presented at a future Council Meeting.
Background
In late 2019, Metro Vancouver invited local governments to partner with MVHC in their affordable housing program. Under the program, local governments provide land at a nominal lease rate or fee to Metro Vancouver.
On February 25, 2020, City Council voted to apply to MVHC and earmarked a vacant piece of City property on 119B Avenue (adjacent to the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre). The property was identified for its high walkability score and its proximity to transit and local services.
Council expressed their strong preference that the Housing Proposal would include a daycare space, this is a step forward to address the daycare shortages in Pitt Meadows noted in the recent Childcare Needs Assessment. By submitting a combined proposal for non-market housing and daycare space, the City and Metro Vancouver hope to explore opportunities for Provincial and Federal Government funding through the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development.
On December 8, 2020, Metro Vancouver provided an overview of the project and announced to Council that they had identified Pitt Meadows as one of three priority projects out of 13 opportunities for their Housing Project. The proposed housing will offer sustainable, accessible homes with integrated childcare in the building, indoor and outdoor amenities, and will focus on non-market rental housing for seniors, families, and people with disabilities. The City-owned site on 119B Avenue would be leased to and managed by MVHC.
The Housing Spectrum - Non-Market Housing vs. Low Barrier Housing
This project will provide a type of Non-Market Housing in Pitt Meadows. Not to be confused with Low Barrier Housing, which helps those most at risk of homelessness and has few requirements for applicants, Non-Market Housing offers mixed income housing for low to moderate income households. This includes some units with a modest decrease from market rents and some units with a subsidy. Non-Market Housing is geared to families, seniors, and people with disabilities. By supporting a range of incomes, ages, and families, we help to support inclusive communities. Learn more about Metro Vancouver Housing here.
Project Milestones
- On February 28, 2023, Council approved the rezoning for the project.
- On January 17, 2023 during a MVHC Committee Meeting, the Civic Centre Project was formally named "Heron's Nest".
- An Open House on the project took place on July 27, 2022 in partnership with MVHC. Engagement on this project has now concluded. Thank you to everyone who participated and provided feedback.
- On June 21, 2022, an update on the project was presented to Council including information about rezoning, concept designs, and parking options. Watch the Council Presentation here.
- December 8, 2020 – Metro Vancouver made a Council Presentation with an overview of the Metro Vancouver/City of Pitt Meadows Housing Proposal.
- June 16, 2020 – Staff made a Council Presentation with an update on the application process.
- March 2, 2020 – Mayor Dingwall sent a letter to the BC Minister of State for Child Care regarding the City’s interest in applying for funding from MVHC and the Province for a combined housing and daycare building. The letterr was discussed at a Council Meeting on March 10, 2020.
- Feb 25, 2020 – Staff made a Council Presentation for an expression of interest to identify potential municipal lands for Metro Vancouver Housing Development. For more information, see the Staff Report.