The City announced in mid-August that a new affordable housing project will be developed as part of revitalization efforts in the Boyle Street neighbourhood. The Métis Capital Housing Corp. has partnered with The Holmes Group (the housing company of famous Canadian handyman Mike Holmes) to build the 90-unit housing complex between 95 and 96 Street, north of 103A Avenue.

The total cost of the senior-friendly project is $22 million. $5.6 million in capital funding will come from the City’s cornerstones affordable housing project, while another $6 million will be provided by the Métis Housing Corp. The City, Province, and Métis Housing Corp. will provide the rest of the funds for the project.

The contract for the project is expected to be awarded this fall, and completed in 18 months. In addition to apartment units, the building will also have one third of its units be barrier free, approximately 1000 square metres of ground-level commercial space, an accessible green roof, common areas, underground parking, sheltered drop-off and pickup areas, and energy efficient heat and power systems.

According to Darlene Lennie, Executive Director of the Métis Housing Corp., Mike Holmes became involved after a chance meeting between Walter Trocenko (Housing and Economic Sustainability Manager with the City) and Seth Atkins, the director of Holmes Homes, on a flight to Toronto. This is the largest project the Métis Housing Corp. has ever been involved with, and the first multi-unit affordable housing project for The Holmes Group.