167 new homes for those struggling to find affordable housing will be built within the basin. The Government of British Columbia and the Columbia Basin Trust are joining forces to make something happen and to get people living comfortably.
Ten new housing projects in the basin region will increase the availability of affordable rental homes for families, seniors, individuals as well as those to have disabilities. These projects are designed to house low to moderate income which widens the scope of who is eligible.
“People living in the Columbia Basin, like the rest of the province, are feeling the weight of the lack of available, affordable housing,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government recognizes the urgent need to create more options for people struggling to find reasonably priced rental homes. These new projects will help make life more affordable for families in the region by delivering the housing they need and can afford.”
The following projects have been selected to receive funding, based on the impact the project will have in reducing the community’s affordable rental housing need:
- Castlegar: 11 units, operated by Kootenay Society for Community Living
- Fernie: 35 units, operated by Fernie Family Housing Society
- Invermere: 16 units, operated by Family Dynamix Association
- Kimberley: 4 units, operated by Kimberley Seniors Project Society
- Nakusp: 10 units, operated by Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services
- Nelson: 3 units, operated by Nelson CARES
- Nelson: 39 units, operated by Share Housing Initiative Society
- Rossland: 24 units, initiated by the City of Rossland, proposed to be operated by Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society
- Revelstoke: 21 units, operated by Revelstoke Community Housing Society
- Slocan: 4 units, operated by Slocan Valley Seniors’ Housing Society
The Province made a promise to deliver 114,000 new affordable homes that come in a variety of forms. This will include market-rental, non-profit,co-op, owner-purchase and social housing which the government believe will tackle the issue of affordable housing in B.C.
The province and the CBT will provide 414 million each over the next three years to create new affordable rental homes in the region.
“We know that housing is essential for healthy and resilient communities,” said Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust. “Our priority is to help ensure residents have access to housing that meets their needs as they vary by community, across the basin.”
