BC announces nearly 250 affordable homes for Okanagan-Similkameen

BC’s Ministry of Housing and BC Housing have announced that over 580 new affordable homes are on the way for the Interior and northern BC.

On Friday, it was announced that 13 housing projects and two in the north will be constructed with funding from the third intake of the Building BC: Community Housing Fund (CHF).

In a release, the province says the CHF is a $3.3-billion investment that targets to build more than 20,000 affordable rental homes for people with moderate- and low-income households by 2031-32.

The homes will be built through partnerships with the province and local non-profit housing providers.

“Whether you live in a big city or a remote coastal village, access to affordable and suitable housing is important in forming strong communities,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, said in the release.

“That is why we are working in partnership to ensure homes are built for people in the communities they call home.”

Here’s a breakdown of the 247 units being built in the Okanagan-Similkameen:

• Kelowna, 1951 Cross Rd.: 68 homes for families, seniors and people living with disabilities, in partnership with Turning Points Collaborative Society.

• Keremeos, 724 Veterans Ave.: 24 homes for families, women, young adults, seniors and people living with disabilities, in partnership with Lower Similkameen Community Services Society.

• Okanagan Falls, 5081B 8th Ave.: 36 homes for families and people in the workforce, in partnership with South Skaha Housing Society

• Princeton, (undisclosed address for safety reasons): 29 homes for women, in partnership with Princeton & District Community Services Society.

• Summerland, 13609 Dickson Ave.: 90 homes for seniors and people living with disabilities, in partnership with Parkdale Place Housing Society.

Including these projects, the province has identified more than 40 new projects to move forward, which equates to about 3,500 affordable rental homes, the release says.

More projects for the Interior region will be announced later.

“The rental housing crisis touches every corner of British Columbia, and we’re thrilled to see non-profits in the Interior and northern regions will soon be constructing hundreds of new affordable rental homes,” said Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association.

“These homes are critical for British Columbians experiencing affordability challenges today, but importantly, they will also be home to thousands more in the generations to come.”

Other housing projects in the Thompson-Shuswap region are being constructed in Ashcroft (29), Chase (37), Salmon Arm (40).

In the Kootenays, there will be 68 homes in Castlegar, 18 in Creston, 27 in Golden, 32 in Sparwood and 41 in Trail.

Haida Gwaii is set to get 17 new homes and Vanderhoof will see 28 homes built.