The B.C. Government and Columbia Basin Trust are partnering to build 167 new homes for people in the Columbia Basin struggling to find affordable housing, including 55 in the East Kootenay.

The projects will be funded by the Columbia Basin Investment in Affordable Housing agreement, announced in December 2017 between the province and the Trust. The province and the Trust will provide $14 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.”

“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.”

Ten new housing projects in the Columbia Basin region will increase the availability of affordable rental homes for individuals, families, seniors or those with disabilities, who are earning a low to moderate income.

“It’s clear that we need a new approach to help Kootenay residents,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West and Minister Responsible for the Columbia Basin Trust. “I’m thrilled that our partnership with the Columbia Basin Trust is delivering on our goal for fair and affordable housing. These investments will make real, positive impacts on people’s lives.”

“Hundreds of people are going to be able to live better lives, thanks to this partnership between our government and the Columbia Basin Trust,” said Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston. “I’m looking forward to seeing these projects come to fruition, and the benefits that come for people in our region.”

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:

* Fernie: 35 units, operated by Fernie Family Housing Society;

* Invermere: 16 units, operated by Family Dynamix Association;

* Kimberley: four units, operated by Kimberley Seniors Project Society;

* Castlegar: 11 units, operated by Kootenay Society for Community Living;

* Nakusp: 10 units, operated by Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services;

* Nelson: three 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: four units, operated by Slocan Valley Seniors’ Housing Society.

Lead image: From left: Jan Morton (president, Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society), Johnny Strilaeff (CEO, Columbia Basin Trust), Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for Kootenay West Katrine Conroy and Mayor of Rossland Kathy Moore break ground at a new affordable housing development in Rossland on May 1. Province of BC photo

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