Correspondence from AHAVI re: IDPAD Legacy Housing Initiative
Proposal for a partnership to develop community-led affordable housing for the International Decade for People of African Descent.
Subject: Request for meeting with Mayor, Council members, and development services From: William Goldiet, President of African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI). To: Mayor, members of council, and development services. Date: January 26, 2026 Agenda for meeting: Request for support for the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD)’s Legacy Housing Initiative.
Dear Mayor, members of council, and development services,
Happy New Year. I hope this message finds you well. I am writing on behalf of the African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI) to explore a potential partnership with the City of View Royal to support the development of community‑led affordable housing.
As you know, many underserved residents continue to face significant barriers to securing stable and affordable housing. AHAVI is committed to contributing to local solutions by developing culturally informed, community‑driven housing that supports families, newcomers, and vulnerable populations.
We are currently engaging with partners, including Vancity, who are reviewing our grant application and have expressed interest in confirming their collaboration with AHAVI. To advance this work, we are respectfully requesting the View Royal to support the IDPAD Legacy Housing Initiative through one or all of the following:
a) Allocation of a parcel (unused land) of municipal land suitable for community affordable housing, b) Lease us or designate three or four floors within the planned affordable housing within the 152-building located at 1938 West Park Lane, View Royal. a) Allocation of a grant from View Royal’s housing or community grant. b) Advocacy for inclusion of this project in the Capital Regional District (CRD)’s housing programs. c) Permit-fee waivers & DCC Advocacy Support in advocating for the development cost, charge reductions where applicable. d) Letter of support for BC Builds & CMHC, National Housing Co-investment Fund, ACLP applications, and rental financing program. e) Co-create with AHAVI and endorse federal and provincial funding programs. f) Arrange a regular open dialogue with involved stakeholders throughout the process to discuss new ideas and resolve any obstacles. g) Provide an avenue for holding ongoing community educational consultations for the greatest community participation in housing initiatives and discuss new ideas and resolve obstacles.
Project Background
The IDPAD Legacy Housing Initiative is a transformative 6-storey mixed-use ownership and rental development proposed by the African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI) in partnership with the IDPAD Legacy Investors Fund. This project is more than just housing — it will serve as a lasting cultural legacy of the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD), fulfilling its objectives of recognition, justice, and development. Central to the initiative is the creation of the IDPAD Community Center, a civic and cultural hub for people of African descent across British Columbia, which will be the most visible IDPAD project in Western Canada.
| Component | Unit Count | Avg. Size (sq ft) | Subtotal area (sq ft) | % of Total GFA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Units total | 54 | - | 33.066 | 57.25% |
| Studio Unit | 14 | 423 | 5,922 | 10.25% |
| 1 Bedroom Units | 26 | 593 | 15,418 | 26.70% |
| 2 Bedroom Units | 10 | 783 | 7,830 | 13.56% |
| 3 Bedroom Units | 4 | 974 | 3,896 | 6.75% |
| Commercial space | 2 | - | 2,500 | 4.33% |
| Commercial Amenity Space | 1 | - | 1,875 | 3.25% |
| Circulation & Building Systems | - | - | 20,314 | 35.17% |
| Total GFA | - | - | 57,755 | 100% |
AHAVI Funding Approach
AHAVI will fund its $23.237 million share using a three-phase financing strategy:
Phase 1 – Equity Raising:
- Target: $2.715 million from grants, philanthropy, CMHC pre-development funding, and local fee reductions.
Phase 2 – Construction Financing:
- Target: $20.5 million through BC Builds, with deferred interest and no monthly payments during development.
- Potential $9.9 million grant tied to affordable housing allocation.
Phase 3 – Long-Term Refinancing:
- Conversion to a CMHC ACLP mortgage with 50-year amortization, no insurance premium, and flexible affordability underwriting.
Projected Financials:
- Annual rental income: $857,010 (after 2% vacancy adjustment)
- Operating costs: $242,000
- Net Operating Income: $615,010
- Debt Service: $552,798
- Debt Coverage Ratio: 1.11
Community Benefits Affordable Housing Cultural Infrastructure:
- 20% of units at 20% below market rents
- Diverse unit mix for youth, seniors, and families
- Dedicated community center strengthening cultural identity and civic engagement
Economic Activation, Sustainability and Transit:
- Retail tenancy promoting local entrepreneurship and street-level vibrancy
- Transit-oriented design, Step Code 3 construction, EV readiness
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with your team to discuss potential sites, partnership models, and next steps. Thank you for considering this request and for your ongoing leadership in addressing housing needs in our community. We look forward to the possibility of working together on this important initiative.
Sincerely,
William Goldiet President, AHAVI
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