Key Sustainability Features 170 social housing units 60% subsidized, 40% low-market rents Use of geothermal energy Preservation and renovation of heritage homes Increased energy efficiency technology Reduced construction waste Recycled building materials CAN-partnership to reduce vehicle ownership Reduction in parking stalls in lane from 100 to 28 Reduction of width of laneway from 33 to 20 feet (6 - 10 m) Storage for 168 bicycles Mid-block greenway Water feature using stormwater Community garden Fruit trees 90% mature tree retention The Mole Hill Community Housing Society (MHCHS) is the result of a seven year campaign to preserve Vancouver's only intact Victorian and Edwardian neighbourhood. The area was originally earmarked for demolition but, in 1999, residents of the 148 city-owned affordable rental units, and affordable housing advocates convinced City Council to preserve the heritage block for social housing. The city, in partnership with BC Housing and the MHCHS, approved a project to renovate 27 of the heritage homes into 170 units of non-market housing, with an additional house and a new building developed as a day centre for people living with HIV/AIDS. READ MORE