A Keremeos affordable housing project was among 72 new builds approved across the province this week.
The Lower Similkameen Community Services Society was provided $4.1 million from the province to build 41 affordable housing units, which will be a mix of senior apartments, and two and three bedroom family units.
About 4,900 units will be built in 42 communities across B.C. as part of the province’s 10-year Community Housing Fund.
Sarah Martin, executive director for the LSCSS was not reachable at press time, but said in an interview with the Review in mid-September that the society, if successful on its application, planned to build the units at the site of the old Red Bridge Pub next to Buy-Low Foods.
“We’re excited for this opportunity to include family housing in our affordable housing portfolio,” Martin said during a phone interview in September. “Mostly because there’s been a need identified formally through our research project, our housing needs assessment and it’s well-known internally through our program coordinators. We know that there is a big need for housing for families and single people here in our community.”
The society is currently in the middle of building another affordable housing project which broke ground earlier this fall. The 24 units are being built for seniors at the Manor and on 7th Avenue.
In this round of funding Keremeos is joined by neighbouring southern interior communities Kelowna, (two projects, 73 homes, $7.3 million), Merritt, (one project, 40 homes, $4 million), Oliver, (one project, 47 homes, $4.7 million) and Kamloops, (three projects, 199 homes, $19.9 million).
Premier John Horgan and Housing Minister Selina Robinson made the announcement standing in front of Vancouver’s Chelsea Gardens, which will get $10.2 million for 102 homes for individuals, families and seniors on Tuesday.
“The project will include a mix of rent levels, including deep subsidy units for people with low income, like seniors on fixed income,” Robinson said.
Housing is also coming for low- to moderate-income families, such as people who work in the retail or service sector, she added, as well as for middle-income people like nurses, teachers and first responders.
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