1.7K 
Government officials descended on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside Friday to announce the official opening of a new affordable rental development in the neighbourhood. The Olivia Skye building at 41 East Hastings Street contains 198 studio and one-bedroom units, including 52 studios rented exclusively to women at the maximum shelter allowance rate.
"Olivia Skye will provide almost 200 new homes that are a mix of secured market rental and social housing —including 52 homes renting at shelter rates — for those who need it most, particularly women who are living in the Downtown Eastside and struggling to find safe and affordable housing," said Mayor Robertson. "These new homes are a great example of the impact we can have when all levels of government are at the table and we are actively engaging with our partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors to deliver more urgently needed homes for Vancouver residents."
An additional 20 units have been allocated to older women eligible to receive the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters rent supplement. Through the Canada-B.C. Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement, the governments of Canada and British Columbia jointly contributed approximately $9.02 million to the project.
The building honours Olivia and Skye, daughters of former community member Marnie Crassweller, who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2016. Olivia Skye is being managed by Atira Women's Resource Society.
