When Leandross Henderlin looked at the 66-by-100-foot lot his company purchased in Delta in September 2022, he saw great potential to do something different.
Keenly aware of the increasing affordability crisis for single family homes on the Lower Mainland, he got to thinking: how could his Burnaby-based company, LJH Construction, help address this issue through design and a unique approach?
The solution was to create two separate primary living spaces in a non-duplex home that would enable two families or couples to share not only the purchase price of the home, but combine their incomes to more easily qualify for a mortgage.
“It helped two groups to be able to afford a home,” Leandross says of the end result, noting the home is being used as it was designed. “Affordability was the key.”
Adding to the appeal to lenders was the legal suite built into the basement level of the larger primary space. A fifth bedroom downstairs provides an option for an older child or, say, a student rental, while a studio apartment at the back is available for visiting guests, family or use as a home office.
This uniquely executed plan on a project known as Econest earned LJH a pair of nominations: the 2023 BC Housing Award for Excellence in Housing Solutions, part of the annual HAVAN Awards program; and the Canadian Home Builders Association (B.C.) Georgie Award for Excellence in Housing Affordability.
Leandross remembers well the days after his arrival in Canada, when he did whatever it took to find his way in a new country. As such he tries to assist those in need as much as possible, “whether it is helping people find a job, helping with finances or other things.”
He and his team look at their new build or renovation projects with an eye to figuring out the best way to combine a high level of quality and cost-efficiency with the vision of the client.
“I prefer to problem solve and I think I’m very good at it,” he says. “I tend to get along better in work and life with people who also like to problem solve.”
LJH, which includes four people who primarily work in the office and four more on jobsites – Leandross calls the team his “shining stars” – takes on residential and commercial projects, at times as a general contractor.
Asked if one type of project is preferred over the other, he says each has its satisfying aspects, but special connections are more often made working with current or future homeowners on their living space.
“Money is not the most important thing in life, people are, and it’s important to always be building relationships.”
To view examples of the company’s work, visit ljhconstruction.com/portfolio.
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