Affordable homes open for seniors in Burnaby - Janet RoutledgeJanet Routledge

Seniors in Burnaby are moving into 155 new affordable rental homes with the opening of Dania Gardens, a new six-storey housing building offering a vibrant community for seniors to thrive.“B.C. is an extraordinary place, but rising global costs mean many seniors on fixed incomes are struggling to find affordable homes,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “In these new homes, seniors can welcome their friends and family, and stay connected to the community they know and love, while living independently. We’re building more new rentals than ever, helping more people have an affordable place to live that fits their budget.”

Dania Gardens at 4277 Norland Ave. includes 109 subsidized suites for seniors with low incomes, alongside 46 market-rate suites tailored for those with moderate incomes. All homes are designed to be adaptable or accessible for seniors, helping to foster inclusivity and independence. The building features common amenity spaces, outdoor patios, laundry facilities and underground parking.

“It’s wonderful to see this important housing project open to seniors as our government continues to take strides in providing solutions,” said Susie Chant, parliamentary secretary for seniors’ services and long-term care. “With this expansion of 155 new homes, Burnaby seniors will have an affordable and safe place to age with dignity, surrounded by community, loved ones and friends.”

The Dania Society has provided non-profit housing in the community since 1938. The society owns and operates the new building as part of its growing Dania Campus of Care, which serves more than 350 residents across four buildings.

The Province, through BC Housing, provided nearly $17 million to build these homes and will support ongoing operations. The City of Burnaby contributed $1.6 million through its Community Benefit Bonus Affordable Housing Reserve. The Dania Society provided the land, valued at $13.4 million.

This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes delivered or underway, including nearly 4,700 in Burnaby.

Quotes:

Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby Centre –

“Seniors built Burnaby, and with these new, affordable homes at Dania Gardens, they will continue to be at the heart of our community. These adaptable units will help our parents and grandparents live comfortably in homes that meet their needs. Our government will keep working with our housing partners and all levels of government to make sure seniors have a place to live their happiest, healthiest lives.”

Lui Franciosi, executive director, Dania Society –

“Dania Society is proud to contribute to this community development, expanding affordable housing options for seniors in Burnaby. With over 80 years of service, Dania has been a trusted non-profit dedicated to providing older adults with affordable homes and access to quality care and support based on its Danish heritage.”

Mike Hurley, mayor, City of Burnaby –

“We’re committed to supporting projects like Dania Gardens, which will have an incredible impact on Burnaby seniors and their families by providing safe, affordable and secure housing. We’re excited to see these new homes and eager to start the next project to deliver more affordable homes in Burnaby.”

Learn More:

To learn more about how rents are set for developments supported through the Community Housing Fund Program, visit:
https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/CHF

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for people in British Columbia, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available here:
https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/homes-for-BC

To learn how BC Housing is helping to build strong, inclusive housing communities, visit:
https://www.bchousing.org/podcast

A backgrounder follows.

Backgrounders

Facts about Dania Gardens, Dania Campus of Care, Dania Society

Rents in Dania Gardens range from $445 to approximately $1,975, depending on unit size and tenant income.
- 31 shelter-rate units with rents ranging $445 to $635 per month;
- 78 rent-geared-to-income homes for people with low to moderate incomes with rents of approximately $685 per month; and
- 46 market homes for people with moderate incomes with rents of approximately $1,975 per month.
The Community Housing Fund is a $3.3-billion investment to build more than 20,000 affordable rental homes for people with moderate or low incomes by 2032.
The Dania Campus of Care now spans 2.8 hectares and includes Dania Home, Dania Manor, Carl Mortensen Manor and the new Dania Gardens.
The Dania Society bought the original property in 1941 and has expanded its housing and care services for seniors over eight decades.