A vacant building and sauna in South Vancouver is planned to be redeveloped into a low-cost housing facility for seniors.

The proposed project by the Finnish Canadian Rest Home Association (FCRHA) is located at 2230 Harrison Drive.

To the east of the site is the Finnish Home, a two-storey complex care facility for seniors. To the west of the project are two three-storey rental buildings that are also owned by the association.

A pedestrian bridge at the western side of the project’s location goes over Southeast Marine Drive, connecting to Gladstone Street and Southside Drive.

The FCRHA has submitted a rezoning application, which proposes the construction of a six-storey building.

The development will have 72 units, of which around 70 percent will be rented below market rates.

A minimum of 30 percent of the units will be rented at the Housing Income Limits or HILs set by B.C. Housing.

The province defines HILs as the “income required to pay the average market rent for an appropriately sized unit in the private market”.

Based on B.C. Housing HILs for 2018, an annual income of $41,500 is needed to afford a bachelor’s suite or studio, $48,000 for a one bedroom, and $58,000 for two bedrooms.

The proposed development at 2230 Harrison will have two studio units, 56 one-bedroom units, and 14 two-bedroom units.

The FCRHA was founded in 1958. It provides care for elderly people of Finnish and Estonian descent.

A community open house will be held on Monday (June 25) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Finnish Home (2288 Harrison Drive).