A massive east Vancouver social-housing project has received the go-ahead from city council.

The Skeena Terrace apartments redevelopment project is slated to include 1,900 social-housing units and mixed-use components. BC Housing, a provincial agency, owns and operates the property, which sits near Rupert Street and East Broadway on the city’s eastern edge, near Burnaby.

The project was approved following a public hearing this week.

“It’s a really great move for the city in terms of delivering on its housing goals,” Councillor Mike Klassen said in an interview with Connect.

The project will provide a lot of much needed non-market housing and make housing more affordable for people living in the city, added Klassen. Serving as acting mayor, he chaired the public hearing while Mayor Ken Sim was away on civic business.

Council approval came after city administrators endorsed the development in February.

The development plan calls for 1.6 million square feet of residential space, including 1,283 affordable rental homes and 641 market-rate rental units. The four-phase project is expected to span several years to mitigate displacement concerns for approximately 600 current tenants, who would be granted the first option to transition to the new units as they become available.

The development will also include 13,660 sf of commercial space, 74 childcare spaces and other amenities, including a sport court.

Rendering: BC Housing