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Community housing projects hit wall in Keremeos

Cactus Court and Quail Crossing are both close to completion
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The Cactus Court housing property was intended to have zero barriers for accessibility, but the door sills are visibly above the outer layer of concrete. It is one of the issues that BC Housing is currently working on with the contractor for the project. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)

Residents looking for affordable housing in Keremeos will have a longer wait ahead of them.

The Cactus Court and Quail Crossing projects have both come to a halt after deficiencies were found by a building inspector.

The two projects are part of a collaboration with BC Housing and the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society.

In a June 15 Facebook post by BC Housing, Cactus Court was promoted as completed and ready for residents to move in starting in early July.

The Cactus Court property was supposed to be fully accessible, but the concrete is visibly below the sills of every unit’s door for what should be a zero-barrier accessway.

In an official statement from the board of the LSCSS, they said they are optimistic about the project being finished soon.

“Work continues to complete the Cactus/Quail projects and we understand that BC Housing is resolving some issues. We met with them this week for an update. BC housing is optimistic that they will be able to move forward on completing the last of the work on the projects and have the 24 suites open for occupancy in the near future,” reads the statement.

READ MORE: Seniors affordable housing project moving forward

A spokesperson for BC Housing noted that the projects are near completion and that BC Housing is working with the contractor to resolve the issues with the projects.

BC Housing did not answer what specific problems the inspector found with the construction.

The LSCSS kickstarted their plans for additional affordable and senior housing in the area with $3.1 million they received from the province in 2016.

Eight of the units expanded the LSCSS’ existing Mountain View Manor, while the other 16 units of Cactus Court are located on 7th Avenue. The 16 units will be owned and operated by the society when they are completed, on land provided by the Village of Keremeos.

Mountain View Manor and Quail Crossing are owned by the provincial housing management program and operated by the LSCSS.

READ MORE: Affordable housing project in Keremeos a community initiative

The LSCSS is also currently underway with construction on their Ambrosia development in Keremeos, which broke ground in March.

To report a typo, email: editor@keremeosreview.com.

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Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
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