School teachers, first responders fill West Vancouver's new affordable housing | Daily Hive

School teachers and first responders fill West Vancouver's new affordable rental housing project

Kiwanis Village West at 950-970 22nd St., West Vancouver. (VanMar Constructors)

A newly completed housing development in West Vancouver has added 156 secured purpose-built, below-market rental homes aimed at helping local workers and families remain in the community — avoiding longer commutes from elsewhere on the North Shore or across the two congested bridges from south of Burrard Inlet.

Kiwanis Village West, a two-building project at 950-970 22nd St. within the western area of the Ambleside neighbourhood, officially opened after finishing construction ahead of schedule late last year.

The development is already fully occupied, with 316 residents having moved in by early 2026.

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According to the provincial government today, the project is part of a broader effort to expand housing options for middle-income people who are employed locally but have struggled to find attainable rental homes.

Based on the early data of the project’s residents, roughly 65 per cent of the development is housing a cross-section of essential and public sector workers. Nearly 40 per cent of households include West Vancouver public school staff, including teachers, while more than a quarter are employed by the District of West Vancouver, including police officers.

Kiwanis Village West 950-970 22nd Street West Vancouver

Kiwanis Village West at 950-970 22nd St., West Vancouver. (VanMar Constructors)

The property is located adjacent to École Pauline Johnson Elementary School, West Vancouver School District headquarters, and West Vancouver’s civic hub of the aquatic centre, community centre, ice arena, and seniors’ activity centre. It is also near West Vancouver Secondary School and the District’s municipal hall, main police station, and a fire hall.

The six-storey buildings offer a range of unit sizes, from studios to three-bedroom homes, with rents set at roughly 75 per cent of average market rates. Eligibility requirements prioritized people already living, working or studying in West Vancouver who do not own property.

In addition to residential units, the development includes an adult day centre operated by Vancouver Coastal Health. The facility is intended to support people living with dementia and other cognitive conditions while providing relief for caregivers.

Kiwanis Village West at 950-970 22nd St., West Vancouver. (VanMar Constructors)

West Vancouver mayor Mark Sager says Kiwanis Village West is an “important milestone” for his municipal government, as “it helps people who keep West Vancouver running and supports Council’s priority that those who work here can afford to live here.”

Over the years, the provincial government has been highly critical of the District’s efforts in catalyzing more housing, with the B.C. Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs issuing directives to the municipal government last year to densify select areas of Park Royal and Ambleside.

Stefan Baune, CEO of Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society, added that this development enables his non-profit organization to “expand our reach to serve a new group — families and working individuals seeking homes close to jobs and schools. Affordable projects like this create lasting impact by supporting a more vibrant, inclusive community in West Vancouver.”

This project increased the organization’s concentration of housing in the immediate area, adding to Kiwanis’ existing affordable housing properties immediately to the east, built in 1990, 2007, and 2014.

Residents in the newest buildings have access to about 53,000 sq. ft. of shared outdoor amenity space. Moreover, the location is within a short walking distance of retail, restaurants, services, and waterfront parks and beaches.

The buildings feature green design features such as rooftop solar panels. The project was designed by RLA Architects and built by VanMar Constructors.

Kiwanis Village West at 950-970 22nd St., West Vancouver. (VanMar Constructors)

The provincial government provided Kiwanis with a $53-million, low-interest loan to cover construction costs, while the organization provided about $10 million in equity.

Other contributions include about $1.5 million from a joint funding partnership between the federal and provincial governments — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and BC Housing, respectively.

As well, the municipal government provided the land — valued at about $22 million — and waived $1.4 million in development fees. Additionally, the health authority purchased a 60-year lease for its adult day centre at a cost of $3.5 million.

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