Storeys receives national award for excellence in planning
14 June 2018
Storeys, an innovative 129 unit affordable rental housing development, complete with on-site supportive services, has been nationally recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners for the collaborative commitment and a unique application of municipal planning policy to make affordable housing a reality in Richmond. The project was winner of the 2018 Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Social Planning.
“The City of Richmond acknowledges that an appropriate mix of housing types for a variety of households is essential to creating a liveable and inclusive community,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Storeys is a best practice example of the City’s innovative affordable housing policies in practice to provide necessary housing for vulnerable residents in our community.”
Storeys, located at 8111 Granville Avenue in Richmond’s City Centre, is the result of a unique partnership between all three levels of government and a consortium of five non-profit organizations comprising Coast Mental Health, Pathways Clubhouse, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Tikva Housing Society and Turning Point Recovery Society.
In addition to rental units, Storeys provides critical supportive services, programming and administrative space to further support tenants in achieving housing stability and life skills. The combination of partners and supportive services will allow a variety of vulnerable groups to be served, including low-income families and seniors, and individuals with mental health and addictions issues.
In March, 2018 City Council adopted the Affordable Housing Strategy 2017 – 2027. This renewed Strategy will continue to focus on building partnerships to ensure that more developments, such as Storeys, are possible. Since 2007, the City has secured over 1,600 affordable housing units in partnership with senior government, the private and non-profit sectors.
The Canadian Institute of Planners Awards recognize planning projects for their excellence, innovation, impact on the profession, implementation potential and overall presentation. This program began in 1983 and has grown to include 13 award categories. A jury of upwards to 10 planning professionals from the public and private sector, representing every region, evaluate submissions against strict criteria. To learn more about other recipients of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Awards for Planning Excellence, visit: www.cip-icu.ca.