Construction of our laneway house at Aunt Leah’s House in Burnaby has been completed! We conceived of this home as “small housing”, a low-cost, low-risk model to increase available housing on the property. The first families will be welcomed in coming months.
“We are excited to open our new laneway house in Burnaby just behind Aunt Leah’s House. Not only does this home provide more affordable housing, it offers a safe, secure transition for mom’s and kids from our Thresholds program to independence in the community. Moms are able to use the skills and abilities they have gained to take their next steps toward their goals. The support of our staff and the network of other moms from the program is only a doorstep away and ensures their success.”
— Aman Mohem, Supportive Housing Manager at Aunt Leah’s
The Thresholds Program supports moms and children with wrap-around programs and services in 2 shared homes owned by Aunt Leah’s Properties.
Aunt Leah’s Properties wishes to thank everyone who helped bring this project to fruition.
The laneway house was made possible by the City of Burnaby, a committed development partner and supporter of Aunt Leah’s mission and affordable housing. The project was funded by an Infrastructure Canada’s Reaching Home Capital Projects grant, as was the recent rebuilding of Aunt Leah’ House initiative. Reaching Home’s funding was critical to the success of this project, however, given the size of the project, it was not eligible for other sources of funding and financing.
Luckily two very generous individual donors read about the project in Aunt Leah’s E-Newsletter and jumped in. While private donations provide for the entire cost of the Thresholds program, it is also true that donations to capital projects can ensure the viability of projects that don’t fit the mold of traditional government funding sources.
“From our family to yours: We feel privileged to support Aunt Leah’s and their life-changing work. It is a pleasure to assist by providing tools and support that empower young moms and their babies to thrive.”
— Karen
One of the donors, who wishes to remain anonymous said:
“We have known about your wonderful work for years, and are honoured to make a contribution to this great initiative. We hope you can build many more!”
Non-profits play a key role in resolving the housing crisis by first and foremost, ensuring affordability. They also sustainably leverage existing assets, offer unique types of housing solutions to match need, responsibly steward the land and available resources, and care for and maintain housing in the best way possible so tenants can enjoy a safe, secure home and quality of life.
As a non-profit housing provider, Aunt Leah’s Properties works to maximize the housing it provides to youth supported by Aunt Leah’s. In some cases this means developing new properties such as our New Westminster Marine Way project, with funding from BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund or acquiring existing rental properties like our Pender St property made possible by BC’s Rental Protection Fund.
It truly takes caring individuals and three levels of government with vision and commitment to create an equitable community for youth at risk because of their involvement with the foster care system. We deeply appreciate your support for the laneway house and our projects in progress.
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