Nearly 1,200 rental homes will soon be available to middle-income residents of Langley and Burnaby through projects financed by BC Builds, a program that leverages underused land and repayable loans for builders at lower rates than offered through banks.

Launched in February 2024, BC Builds is designed to overcome challenging market conditions and deliver lower-cost rental homes for people in communities throughout B.C. The program also provides grants to ensure greater affordability and works with municipalities, landowners, residential builders and housing operators to move projects from concept to construction within 12 to 18 months.

“We’re delivering homes middle-income people can afford, in our community,” said Megan Dykeman, MLA for Langley East. “Through programs like BC Builds, we’ll be welcoming over 700 homes to Langley, and over 400 in Burnaby, so that the people who support our communities can afford to live in them. This will make a profound difference for families in these communities.”

Construction is now underway on The Colton (Phase 2), located at 8539 201B St. and 20129 85 Ave. in the Township of Langley. The project is a partnership between BC Housing and Tannin Developments Limited. When complete in late 2027, it will provide 371 homes for individuals, seniors and families with middle incomes in four six-storey buildings. Ninety-five of these homes will be adaptable for accessibility purposes, and a minimum of 40 will be rented at below market rates.

“With decades of underinvestment in housing and current high interest rates it has been incredibly challenging for the housing sector to meet the demands of homes needed by middle-class people in Langley and across B.C.,” said Andrew Mercier, MLA for Langley. “Through BC Builds, we are changing that. Thank you to all the involved home builders, municipalities, and non-profits, for helping to get these projects off the ground and make housing attainable for middle-income people in our communities.”

Developer partners have also been selected for three previously announced pre-zoned sites in the Township of Langley, including:

• 20230 72B Ave. – Caliber Communities, nearly 110 units
• 27200 Block of Fraser Hwy. – Caliber Communities, approximately 100 units
• 7883 199 St. – Edgar Development and Orion Construction, approximately 160 units

Meanwhile, a rezoning proposal is also moving forward for approximately 430 units at 7135 Walker Ave. and 7244 Arcola St. in Burnaby, in a partnership between the BC Builds program and The Neighbourhood Church, formerly known as Southside Community Church. If approved by council, the planned 45-storey project would replace the Neighbourhood Church’s gathering space with a ministry hub program space, retail, and arts centre with a theatre for community concerts and performances.