Two new middle-income non-profit housing projects moved forward at 91原创 Township council this month, with a new society now in charge of the projects.

Council voted 8-1 in favour of housing agreements with the Township of 91原创 Housing Trust Society, which will see a 128-unit rental building constructed in downtown Aldergrove, and a 118-unit structure built in Willoughby. The Aldergrove site, in the 3000 block of 272 Street, will also include 20,000 square feet of commercial space.

The two projects have been in the works for a few years, with funding coming from the provincial BC Builds program as well as the Township's affordable housing fund, part of money it has collected from community amenity contributions (CACs).

BC Builds projects are intended for working people and families with median incomes, people like teachers, nurses, trades workers and others who have found it increasingly difficult to find anywhere affordable to live amid spiralling housing prices in Metro Vancouver over the past decade. The agency has partnered with a number of local municipalities to find land for projects, including in the Township.

"If we move forward with this, essentially the Township will now be in the development business, is that correct?" said Councillor Kim Richter. 

Township administrator Chan Kooner said the municipality is in partnership with the province, which provided a grant for the projects.

"It's not a for-profit venture," Kooner said.

Richter also asked about the new Township of 91原创 Housing Trust Society at the May 12 council meeting.

Kooner said the society has a board made up mostly of council members and Mayor Eric Woodward.

Richter was the lone vote on council opposed to the bylaws that will move the projects forward.

Woodward spoke about the new society and the wider housing projects more at the State of the Township address on May 15.

"Three sites, three buildings starting construction this year, 400 units in partnership with with the provincial government and the grant from BC Builds," Woodward said of the first projects coming forward. 

He said that the buildings would be owned and operated by the Housing Trust, with the rent staying in the community and serving to build more affordable units here in the future.

The three sites were originally announced back in April 2024, with Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon joining Woodward for the announcement.