Construction has started on on a new 15-storey building affordable housing project in Vancouver’s False Creek, which will have 135 units of affordable housing, including two and three-bedroom suites.

“We want to ensure that families are not just able to live in Vancouver, but to thrive here. This project is creating more homes geared towards families in a neighbourhood where they can access outdoor recreation, community centres, transit and jobs,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.

“We recognize the affordability crisis our city is facing and City Hall is doing everything we can to increase a wide range of housing opportunities in Vancouver.”

Being constructed on a portion of a 6.4 acre site in Southeast False Creek, the building is part of a larger master-plan community being developed by Concert known as The Creek.

It will also include four market housing buildings containing approximately 450 suites. An approximate 2.7 acre waterfront park will also be developed by the City of Vancouver on the site.

“We are proud of our plans for The Creek and the contributions it is making towards the provision for new affordable housing and a future waterfront park in Vancouver,” said Brian McCauley, President and Chief Operating Officer of Concert. “As a company who has been committed to building strong, sustainable communities across Canada since 1989, we are grateful for the opportunity to assist the City with the development of this important affordable housing project.”

Completion of the $39 million affordable housing project is expected by mid-2018, at which time the city will select a non-profit housing operator to lease and operate the building.