Tikva Housing Society

Tikva secures 45 rental units

Anat Gogo of Tikva Housing unveils the sign for the Ronald S. Roadburg Residences, with Tikva board co-chairs Andrew Charney and Penny Gurstein, former minister of housing and municipal affairs Ravi Kahlon, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Richmond city councilors, and Bernard Pinsky of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation with staff and board members. (photo by Alina Ilyasova)

Tikva Housing has acquired a 45-unit apartment building in Richmond, now officially named the Ronald S. Roadburg Residences. The purchase marks the largest acquisition in Tikva’s history and secures 30 two-bedroom and 15 one-bedroom units as long-term affordable housing.

This acquisition was made possible through a transformational gift from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation and capital funding from British Columbia’s Rental Protection Fund, which enables nonprofit organizations to purchase rental housing at risk of being lost to private redevelopment.

“We’re working on every front to address the housing crisis and rising costs, so people have an affordable home in the community they love,” said Ravi Kahlon, who was at the time BC minister of housing and municipal affairs. “When a building changes hands, residents worry whether they will be forced to move or pay much higher rent. By helping nonprofits to buy these buildings, we are protecting the people who have lived there for years, close to their families, their jobs and the activities they enjoy.”

Located at 8660 Westminster Hwy., rents at the property average approximately $1,500 to $1,600, or about 42% below community averages, and will remain below local market rates, providing stability and peace of mind for more than 110 residents.

“It’s a relief that Tikva has stepped in to secure the future of the Ronald S. Roadburg building. It’s helped me set aside a nagging fear of needing to relocate due to redevelopment or similar,” said tenant Timothy Schafli. “I’m happy to have called Richmond home for over a decade and that I’m confident I’ll be able to continue to do that. Thanks to Tikva for the excellent communication during the transition as well.”

The property in central Richmond offers residents access to amenities like transit and schools, along with opportunities for individuals and families to engage in religious, cultural and social networks.

“This momentous acquisition embodies the core of Tikva’s mission to provide access to innovative housing solutions – giving new hope to individuals and families in need, transforming lives and strengthening the community,” said Anat Gogo, executive director, Tikva Housing. “We are deeply grateful to the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation for their extraordinary generosity and to the Rental Protection Fund for ensuring these 45 homes will remain protected and affordable for generations to come.”

The building is named in honour of the late businessman and philanthropist Ronald S. Roadburg.

“Providing secure and affordable homes strengthens the entire community, and we are honoured to help make this happen,” said Bernard Pinsky, chair of the foundation.

photo - Bernard Pinsky, chair of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, helps Chabad Richmond Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman hang the mezuzah at the entry of the Ronald S. Roadburg Residences — Bernard Pinsky, chair of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, helps Chabad Richmond Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman hang the mezuzah at the entry of the Ronald S. Roadburg Residences. *(photo by Alina Ilyasova)*

The project also received support from the BC Rental Protection Fund. Marking its first acquisition in the City of Richmond, the fund contributed $5 million toward the purchase, helping keep housing affordable for tenants. This includes $1.2 million in renewal grants to help with building improvements to keep the homes safe and comfortable.

“Investing in protecting the affordable housing we already have means we spend less while achieving more – more capacity, more resilience, more opportunity,” said Katie Maslechko, chief executive officer of the Rental Protection Fund.

According to the Metro Vancouver Jewish Housing Registry, of its 450 applicants, 200 are specifically seeking affordable housing in Richmond.

“Today’s announcement of Tikva acquiring 45 units of rental housing at the Ronald S. Roadburg Residences is great news for Richmond residents, as these 45 units will provide much-needed rental tenure housing for seniors, families and members of the local workforce for years to come,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

Tikva’s rental portfolio includes a mix of rental rates, ranging from shelter to below market and adhering to relevant provincial and federal social housing standards.

“This acquisition represents a strategic investment in long-term affordability and community stability in a region where purpose-built rental housing is increasingly scarce,” said Wei Liu, Tikva’s housing development manager.

For more information, visit tikvahousing.org.

– Courtesy Tikva Housing Society

20 new affordable rentals

Susana Cogan Place (photo from Tikva Housing)

Individuals and families with low to moderate income are moving into 20 new homes in Burnaby. Susana Cogan Place is Tikva Housing Society’s most recent affordable housing project, developed in partnership with Polygon Homes and made possible with financial support from BC Housing.

“Susana Cogan Place provides stability and security through affordable housing for people to live, work and retire in the community they know, here in Burnaby,” said Ravi Kahlon, BC minister of housing. “Our government is building housing at a historic rate and these 20 new homes are another example of how we can work together to build a province where everyone has a good place to call home and no one gets left behind.”

Located at 6438 Byrnepark Dr., Susana Cogan Place is a 20-unit development comprising studio, one- and two-bedroom homes. It is part of a larger five-storey, 122-unit condominium known as Byrnepark by Polygon.

“I am delighted to see Susana Cogan Place and its new affordable rental homes open in our community,” said Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds. “These new cost-effective homes will provide a sense of well-being and a place for many families and seniors to call their own.”

Tikva’s units on the third floor are named in memory of Susana Cogan z”l, whose leadership was the driving force of Tikva from 2006 to 2017.

“These homes are a welcome addition to the Burnaby community,” said Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake. “We know more housing like this is needed to help people live affordably, which is why our government will continue to work with all partners to boost the supply of affordable housing in Burnaby … and throughout the province.”

photo - From Left to right: Richard Lee, Maita Santiago, Raj Chouhan, Mike Hurley, Rhonda Sacks, Anne Kang and Anat Gogo — From Left to right: Richard Lee, Maita Santiago, Raj Chouhan, Mike Hurley, Rhonda Sacks, Anne Kang and Anat Gogo. *(photo from Tikva Housing)*

Tikva Housing, an experienced nonprofit housing provider, owns and operates the homes. With this opening, Tikva’s portfolio has increased to 168 units in seven housing developments and expanded into Burnaby.

“In these times of high real estate values and high interest rates, Tikva is grateful to be able to partner with Polygon Homes and BC Housing to produce affordable housing for families with low and moderate incomes. We need many more partnerships like this,” said Alice Sundberg, director of housing development at Tikva Housing.

Monthly rents for the 20 homes range between $375 for a studio unit to $1,700 for a two-bedroom unit.

“This new development marks the first housing collaboration between our organization and BC Housing,” said Anat Gogo, executive director Tikva Housing. “The support of the Province and the financial assistance from BC Housing, along with our partnership with Polygon, allowed Tikva Housing to acquire 20 new affordable homes in south Burnaby. We are pleased to be able to ease the burden on individuals and families struggling with housing insecurity.”

Each home at Susana Cogan Place is equipped with a range, fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer. Residents also have access to amenities, including a playground, lobby, lounge and a fitness studio.

“The investments we’ve made as a city into affordable housing are beginning to pay off in Burnaby and it’s encouraging to see tenants moving into their affordable units at Susana Cogan Place,” said Mike Hurley, mayor of Burnaby. “These units are priced well below the market rate, something that is only possible thanks to the close collaboration between BC Housing, the Province and the City of Burnaby.”

The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $3 million to the project via the Building BC: Community Housing Fund and will provide an annual operating subsidy of approximately $74,000.

– Courtesy Tikva Housing Society

Give to increase housing

The Metro Vancouver Jewish community continues to struggle with housing insecurity. There is an urgent need for affordable, safe and stable homes, with more than 300 applicants on the Jewish Housing Registry’s growing waitlist. Of those, 71 are families with children and 65 are persons with disabilities.

Tikva Housing Society currently serves more than 300 people, with 100% occupancy in its 128 subsidized rental units, and by providing rent subsidies for those living in market rentals facing a temporary crisis.

photo - Anat Gogo, executive director of Tikva Housing Society — Anat Gogo, executive director of Tikva Housing Society. (photo from Tikva Housing Society)

“The only way that Tikva can address our community’s housing needs is through your generosity. Donations are crucial to help in achieving our mission to provide innovative and affordable housing solutions,” said Anat Gogo, executive director of Tikva Housing Society.

That is why, this month, the society is calling upon the collective power of the community’s compassion and generosity, as it launches Tikva’s annual fundraising campaign. Here is how you can help:

1) Plan. Mark your calendars for March 17 to March 27.

2) Give. Starting March 17, go to tikvahousing.org/donate and make your gift.

3) Inspire. Encourage your family and friends to join you in making a difference.

4) Share. Spread the word by sharing Tikva’s campaign posts on your social media and tag @TikvaHousing to expand its reach on Twitter and Facebook.

When you donate, you help provide a safe and secure home for Jewish community members, enabling them to put food on their table, buy medication and send their kids to camps. Dignity comes with the stability of shelter, as does the strength to fight for a better future.

– Courtesy Tikva Housing Society

xwƛ̓əpicən’s fall open house

Anat Gogo, manager of programs and donor relations, Tikva Housing Society, leads a tour at the xwƛ̓əpicən (Arbutus Centre) open house Nov. 21. (photo from Tikva Housing)

Tikva Housing Society held an open house at the Arbutus Centre – xwƛ̓əpicən, pronounced “hook la’pitzen”) – on Nov. 21. The name in the Musqueam language means “Hollow,” which represents safety and warmth. Showcased last month were some of the 37 new one-bedroom and studio suites that Tikva Housing operates, providing homes to people in the Jewish community who need affordable, safe and stable housing.

The project is the result of a collaboration between the City of Vancouver, the YWCA, Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Tikva Housing. The building as a whole has 125 new units of affordable homes.

The open house, hosted by Tikva board members and staff, greeted more than 40 people, at various times, to accommodate the COVID-19 protocols. By all accounts, those who participated in the day-long event were “blown away” by the quality and attention to detail of the units, which all include washer and dryers; some are totally accessible for mobility devices such as wheelchairs. There is an amenities room for community gatherings, a central courtyard shared by all tenants and a rooftop patio.

After a process of identifying people who qualified, and then help with “move-ins” over the past two months, all the Tikva units are filled. The society is grateful to the many donors who make its work possible and especially to the Diamond Foundation, who gave Tikva the initial donation to assist with rent subsidies for new tenants, for the first five years.

For more information about Tikva Housing Society, visit tikvahousing.org.

– Courtesy Tikva Housing Society

Opening of Dayson Residences

The Dayson and Barnett families were on hand to celebrate the opening of Tikva Housing Society’s Ben and Esther Dayson Residences. (photo from Tikva Housing)

Although the weather was not ideal, almost 100 people attended the opening of Tikva Housing Society’s Ben and Esther Dayson Residences on Sept. 26.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event had to be held outside under tents. Rhonda Sacks, chair of Tikva, welcomed everyone and thanked the Ben and Esther Dayson Charitable Foundation and the Dayson and Barnett families for their ongoing generosity and support. She acknowledged the three generations of the Dayson and Barnett families who were present and the importance of the younger ones to witness this momentous occasion.

Sacks recognized the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver for understanding the immediate need for affordable housing in the Jewish community and thanked them for their leadership and advocacy. Ezra Shanken, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation, brought greetings and reiterated the importance of not only saying thank you but also showing the younger generation how, because of their great-grandparents, the community is taking care of those in need of affordable housing.

Philip Dayson spoke on behalf of the family and mentioned that it was the desire of his mother, Esther Dayson, to help those less fortunate and to have a lasting legacy, like these townhomes.

photo - The younger generation of the Dayson/Barnett family cut the ribbon at the opening of Tikva Housing Society’s Ben and Esther Dayson Residences — The younger generation of the Dayson/Barnett family cut the ribbon at the opening of Tikva Housing Society’s Ben and Esther Dayson Residences. *(photo from Tikva Housing)*

Many of the residents in attendance took the opportunity to personally thank the donors and their families.

Hannah Amar, one of the residents at the Dayson Residences, spoke on behalf of the 32 families who live there. She spoke of the importance of having safe and secure accommodation, especially during COVID, and how grateful she is to Tikva and to its donors for her beautiful home.

This housing development is part of a partnership of the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Community Land Trust; there were many donors and partners on the project.

More than 100 people live in the residences, including almost 60 children. As one of the residents said, “The sense of community and Jewish life is beyond what we could have imagined. We are so fortunate to be living here.”

The event also paid tribute to Susana Cogan, z’l, who was the driving force behind Tikva Housing from 2009 to 2017. Cogan was instrumental in developing these residences, as well as others that Tikva owns and/or operates. A commemorative bench in her memory sits adjacent to the children’s playground.

For more information about Tikva Housing, call the office at 778-998-4582.

– Courtesy Tikva Housing

Housing survey needs your views

Are you concerned about the cost of living and the lack of affordable housing in Vancouver? Is it preventing you, or someone you know, from feeling connected to the Jewish community? Tikva Housing Society in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and with the support of the Jewish Community Foundation is conducting a housing needs assessment to understand and address the growing concern about affordable and appropriate housing options for the Greater Vancouver Jewish community.

The Jewish community includes you. Affiliated or not, your thoughts and stories of your experiences are important because they will help determine how we can best support the diverse and widespread Jewish population. Since the late 1870s, our community has settled in Vancouver and moved within the city as new immigration and neighborhoods were established. By the 1960s, the heart of the Jewish community stretched the Oak Street corridor, into Kerrisdale and Marpole. In recent years, families are transferring to more affordable areas, such as Richmond, White Rock, Burnaby, Coquitlam and the Fraser Valley.

The housing climate and overall population growth in Vancouver is impacting every ethnic and cultural community. According to the 2011 Statistics Canada Census, there are 26,245 members of the Jewish community living in Greater Vancouver. Of these, 4,220 Jewish people are living in poverty, including 450 children. For most, housing is often more than 50 percent of a person’s income, leaving little left for food, clothing, transportation and other costs that enable a balanced lifestyle with connections to the Jewish community. People with mental health concerns, disabilities, seniors, single parents and women fleeing abuse are among those struggling most to get by. Also vulnerable are young adults attempting to become independent while still remaining connected to the communities they call home.

Since 1948, Vancouver Jewish community organizations have successfully contributed land, buildings and grants towards affordable housing. Many of these initiatives have been in partnership with government and private partners, resulting in the management of close to 700 affordable housing units. Tikva Housing is very aware of the current issues and is working towards accessing opportunities for safe, affordable housing primarily for working-age, Jewish, low-income adults and families.

Your voice is extremely important for us. We would like every Jewish person in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland to tell us how to address their housing concerns, to enable them to either remain in, or move to, the community that best meets their needs.

Please take five to 10 minutes to complete the confidential questionnaire at surveymonkey.com/s/tikvahousingsurvey.

Tikva Housing will also be holding focus groups throughout the Greater Vancouver area to complement this information. If you need help completing the survey, would like to participate in a focus group or speak with the housing researcher, contact Hazel Orpen at [email protected] or call 604-563-3309.