The federal government announced Wednesday it will provide $2.5 million in funding for a subsidized housing project near downtown Abbotsford.

The project on Babich Street consists of two single-storey multiplexes that will provide 14 units of housing.

“Fourteen new affordable homes. It’s a chance for a fresh start for many, including some of the most vulnerable people in the community,” said South Surrey-White Rock MP Ernie Klassen on behalf of federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson.

The project consists of six single-room occupancy (SRO) units in a three-plex, and eight SROs in a four-plex, according to the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“We are aware that there’s significant housing needs, especially when you have multiple barriers like disabilities, substance use, things of that nature,” said Mike Dirks, chief executive officer of the Communitas Supportive Care Society, which is putting more than $1.7 million into the project.

Dirks said the application process for the homes and eligibility criteria are still in the works.

“It could be people who haven’t been able to leave home yet because they can’t afford the rent,” he said.

“I think it’s people who are able to live independently or semi-independently, but are having financial challenges in terms of the affordability of homes and maybe people who are living in an arrangement where there are accessibility needs [that] aren’t maybe being met.”

One of the criteria CMHC uses to determine housing affordability is that 80 per cent of the housing at a site is offered at or below the 30th percentile of rents for similar units in the market.

“We anticipate hopefully being able to even do a little bit better than that on some [units], and sort of assess where needs are in the community,” said Dirks.

He said the housing will be ready for new residents later this year.