Representatives of the provincial government and the North Vancouver Board of Education were proud to join the Housing for Young Adults with Disabilities (HYAD) society on July 14 to celebrate the official opening of HYAD Place. A new housing development for young adults with developmental disabilities in North Vancouver, HYAD Place, located at 2130 Chesterfield Avenue, features 14 residential apartments and two apartments for an onsite property manager and outreach worker.

“The North Vancouver Board of Education was pleased to have provided the land for the development of HYAD Place," says North Vancouver Board of Education Chair Franci Stratton. "These apartments are a welcome addition to the community, providing residents a place to grow independently and a venue to build lasting friendships for years to come.” 

The School District's contribution of land for HYAD Place was part of an innovative repurposing of two surplus properties that also facilitated the heritage restorations of Queen Mary and Ridgeway Elementary schools; the Anderson Walk residences by Polygon; the Education Services Centre and Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art on Lonsdale and the revitalization of Rey Sargent Park. The land, valued at over $1.1 million, as well as approximately $5.1 million contributed by the Government of British Columbia, $166,000 in equity from the HYAD Society and additional contributions from partners in the community to create HYAD Place as an affordable, safe, age-in-place cooperative for 14 young adults who have intellectual disabilities.

“Our society had a vision, to create safe and secure homes for our children to allow them to age in place," says HYAD Society President Clay Knowlton. "It is through years of hard work and perseverance that made the opening of HYAD Place a reality and we’d like to thank all our partners for their support."

To learn more about provincial housing programs and services, visit www.bchousing.org​

L > R: Cyndi Gerlach, North Vancouver Board of Education Vice Chair; Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business and MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale; Cavan Stevens, Vice President, HYAD Society​; Darrell Mussatto, Mayor, City of North Vancouver; and Clay Knowlton, President, HYAD Society

Posted on July 14, 2014