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Temporary athletes’ village buildings off to Sechelt

The Sunshine Coast is receiving low income housing for people living with mental health issues, thanks to the temporary housing used at Whistler's athletes' village during the Olympics.

The Sunshine Coast is receiving low income housing for people living with mental health issues, thanks to the temporary housing used at Whistler's athletes' village during the Olympics.

Last Thursday, the province announced that the ground has officially been broken on the $3.7 million two-storey building of eight apartments for people who are at risk of homelessness in Sechelt.

The new rental building - at 5661 Dolphin Street - is one of six housing projects that will be built throughout B.C. with the temporary buildings used by athletes and coaches in Whistler during the 2010 Winter Games.

The homes in Sechelt will be 350 square feet, with ground-floor homes having a separate entry and second floor homes accessed through an outside staircase.

"I would like to thank the province and VANOC (Vancouver Organizing Committee) for providing the funds to bring this much-needed housing to Sechelt, as well as the Government of Canada for providing the land," said Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster following the groundbreaking.

According to Rachel Nelken, communications specialist with B.C. Housing, the modular units are still in Whistler, at the athletes' village near Function Junction, although they will soon be moved to the Sunshine Coast community.

The deal was struck before the Games began and outlines that VANOC will pay for the original design and construction of the temporary modules, and the province will cover the cost to modify the homes and transport them to the six B.C. communities.

Through the agreement, Surrey is receiving 52 of the units, Sannich 36 units, Chilliwack 36, Chetwynd 12 and Enderby 15. The reconfigured homes will be used mainly by people at risk of homelessness, low-income seniors, and people on assisted living, according to information releases by B.C. Housing.