Renovation of Surrey public housing project has residents fearful for future

Tenants of a publicly-owned Surrey townhouse complex say they’re worried they could end up out on the street amid a major renovation project.

Kevin Roblin lives at the Kingston Gardens in Surrey’s Guildford neighborhood, and has been told his unit along with about two dozen others will be undergoing significant work, and that he will have to move out in the meantime.

“I’m concerned about them tearing down my building. I don’t want to be homeless or have to look for a place to rent. It’s really expensive out there, and I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Roblin said.

“The prices of renting around in Metro Vancouver have gone through the roof. Trying to find an affordable place to live is next to impossible for a lot of people, never mind someone who is on disability and struggles.”

The complex is owned and operated by the housing division of Metro Vancouver, which says the project will actually add about 60 additional affordable homes on the site.

Metro Vancouver spokesperson Don Bradley said current residents will be given the opportunity to move back once work is completed without a hike in rent.

“They will be given the chance to move into those new accommodations on a very similar if not identical financial arrangement that they are currently enjoying,” Bradley said.

“It’s very positive for the tenants in those older units that need to be modernized. They will be fantastic, but there may be some temporary disruption.”

The company will relocate tenants into other townhouses either on-site or somewhere else while work is being done, Bradley said.