A welcoming and affordable community
Concept
Denman Housing Association, a not-for-profit organization , will undertake the ‘Denman Green’ project with the primary purpose of meeting, at least in part, the affordable housing needs of the Denman Island working community.
The project will create a series of residential clusters of affordable rental units.
It is the intention of the project to create a community of healthy homes, attractive to islanders of working age. Sustainability will be a guiding principle of the project, with no purpose more important than that of maintaining a vibrant island full of opportunities for all ages.
Location
With frontage on Denman Road and a 10 minute walk to the Community School and other amenities the location of ‘Denman Green’ could hardly be better.
Building typology
The built environment comprises clusters of homes of modest sizes. This type of development has been successful in other countries in fostering a feeling of community between the occupants.
Construction of the homes will involve cost effective pre-fabrication.
Sustainability
Sustainability will be a major consideration in the design, construction and liveability of the Denman Green project. Some of the energy, water and human health related sustainability principals will include:
Water use will be a major consideration. The aim is to minimize the community’s impact on the island’s limited water supply. Strategies such as using indoor and outdoor water-efficient practices, low flow/ water efficient fixtures and appliances, centralised laundry facilities, possibly in combination with collected rain water to reduce the community’s drinkable and non-drinkable water demand.
Sanitary waste, grey water treatment systems and managed site storm water drainage/ control will be considered to minimize the effect on the environment.
Energy efficiency will be a key design principal. Passive design practice will be used to keep the homes comfortable and to minimize the energy requirements for heating the homes and domestic hot water. Effective use of thermal mass energy storage in combination with thermal insulation, efficient glazing and optimized siting of the homes will all help to maximize wintertime solar heating, day light and the summertime natural cooling/ ventilation.
Consideration will be given to using advanced green energy generation solutions, such as Geo exchange, solar PV’s and solar thermal collectors to reduce communities annually consumption, carbon footprint and operating cost. The aim is to reduce the community’s annual energy consumption and carbon use to as close to “Net Zero” as economically viable.
The homes will be designed with consideration for the occupants’ health and well-being such as maintaining good indoor air quality using energy efficient ventilators and the use of environmentally preferable materials to reduce the creation of and exposure to chemical pollutants.
A communal garden and common areas will be provided for recreation and enjoyment of gardening/ food production as well as the native flora and fauna.
Density
Cost of infrastructure as well as delivery of utilities demand clustering. Nonetheless the land area will allow for a peaceful, rural setting with plenty of room for children to play, for vegetable gardens and more.
Cost
Financing of the project will ensure that tenants pay no more than 30% of their gross income as rent.
Facility management
The Association will act as developer for the project and will own and operate the affordable rental homes.
The Association will determine rules, regulations and eligibility criteria for the rental units, taking its lead from the experience and past best practice of other such developments in B.C.
Other Considerations
Community Engagement
A Community Information Meeting was held on September 22 2018. Forty Denman Island residents attended and much interest was shown in the project, with the questions raised being all constructive and indicating that the community is broadly supportive of this long-awaited affordable housing initiative.
Board Capacity
The Association’s Board has the skills to meet the challenges involved, including:
– Broad management of the project through build and operation
– Fundraising and relationships with government funding entities
– Compliance with regulations, land use and other laws
– Site selection, land acquisition, design and project management
– Project budgeting, cashflow and operating budget management
– Legal formalities, housing agreements, employment contracts
– Optimizing energy efficiencies and environmental standards
Site Plan
Initial Concept & Evolving
