11. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

East Vancouver gains more affordable housing with opening of Columbia Gardens

East Vancouver gains more affordable housing with opening of Columbia Gardens
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East Vancouver gains more affordable housing with opening of Columbia Gardens  The Columbian

East Vancouver gains more affordable housing with opening of Columbia Gardens

Affordable Housing Community Opens in Vancouver, Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals

Chrischelle West, a single mother of three, has found her ideal home at the Columbia Gardens Apartments in east Vancouver. With limited options for affordable housing that can accommodate her family’s needs, West is grateful for this new long-term housing community.

“I couldn’t ask to be anywhere else,” West said.

On Tuesday, city and county leaders, along with housing officials, gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Columbia Gardens Apartments in the Fircrest neighborhood. This community offers 124 units for residents and families earning at or below 50 percent and 60 percent of the area median income. The units range from two to four bedrooms.

Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis

Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Clark County, Washington, as it is in many communities across the state. Last year, over 9,000 people experienced homelessness in Clark County, with high rents and a lack of affordable homes being major contributing factors, according to the Council for the Homeless.

According to a 2022 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there are only 22 affordable homes available per 100 low-income households in the county.

Vancouver Mayor Pro Tem Ty Stober highlighted the city’s efforts to address this crisis by conducting a survey of the housing situation. The survey revealed that the city is currently producing 1,600 new homes per year but needs to increase that number to 2,500 in order to close the gap.

Providing Affordable Options for Families

Stober commended the Columbia Gardens Apartments for offering four-bedroom units, which are in high demand but often scarce. According to a recent report, the average cost of a four-bedroom apartment in Clark County is $2,995 per month. In comparison, the available four-bedroom units at Columbia Gardens are listed for $1,886 per month.

The apartment community provides amenities such as parking, on-site management, on-call emergency maintenance, and a playground for children. Developed by Southport Financial Services, the affordable homes were funded through federal and state programs.

Importance of Housing Stability and Community

State Rep. Sharon Wylie emphasized the significance of housing stability and living in a supportive community, particularly for young people. She referred to a study that highlighted the importance of stability in relationships and neighborhood schools for children, stating that it outweighs having both parents clean and sober at all times.

“When we build homes and communities like this, this is what is important — people having connections with each other,” Wylie said. “They have connections and roots, local schools, they have support for each other. That stability means everything.”

Community Funded Journalism logo

This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 1: No Poverty
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
  • SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Number of affordable housing units available for low-income households.
  • Average cost of housing in the area compared to the affordable options provided.
  • Number of new homes produced per year in the city.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. Number of affordable housing units available for low-income households.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. Average cost of housing in the area compared to the affordable options provided.
Number of new homes produced per year in the city.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: columbian.com

 

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