A new housing project under construction in Langley will join a series of other BC Builds project that aim to offer market-rate and below-market rental housing.
The latest announced is phase two of an apartment project called The Colton in the Carvolth area of Langley, at 8539 201B Street.
The sit will feature four six-storey buildings with 371 units ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom homes. Ninety-five of the units will be adaptable for better accessibility.
Rents have not been announced, according to a provincial announcement, but will be known closer to completion.
Unlike other government-funded housing efforts, which are aimed at building below-market rental housing for seniors or other vulnerable groups, the BC Builds projects have aimed at increasing rental stock aimed at middle-class people. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said the goal was to create housing for people like nurses and construction workers, to allow them to continue to live in their communities.
At least 40 of the units will be rented at below-market rates, and none will be higher than market. Construction is expected to wrap up in late 2027.
Langley East MLA Megan Dykeman said The Colton's phase two began as a Housing Hub project, a different government housing program that was folded into BC Builds.
She said it's part of $2 billion in provincial funding for similar projects around B.C. Dykeman also offered praise to the Township, which has stepped up with land for some of the BC Builds projects.
The Colton 2 is one of four BC Builds projects that are in various phases around Langley.
Already announced are three other, smaller sites:
• 20230 27B Ave., Caliber Communities is building almost 110 units
• 27200 block of Fraser Highway in Aldergrove, Caliber is building about 100 units
• 7883 199 St., Edgar Development and Orion Construction to build about 160 units
Development partners have been chosen through the BC Builds' Housing Opportunities Platform for those sites, and the locations have been pre-zoned by the Township.
Those three sites remain in early development stages.
“Through programs like BC Builds, we’ll be welcoming over 700 homes to Langley," said Dykeman.
"Our new council has made it a priority to ensure we meet targets for more units that are more attainable within Langley," said Township Mayor Eric Woodward. "These three sites, from Willoughby to downtown Aldergrove, are ready to go for more rental housing for those that need it."
