The South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society is taking over ownership and operation of two low-income housing buildings in Penticton.
Abbott Towers, which has 97 units of seniors housing, and Columbus Park, with 42 units of family housing, are now owned and operated by SOSBIS, who will also be taking over operations for the four one-bedroom apartments for seniors and persons with disabilities at Columbus Place in Naramata. SOSBIS won’t own those suites, but will be operating them on behalf of B.C. Housing.
SOSBIS was selected by the interim board of directors for the Penticton Senior Citizens and Veterans Housing and Recreation Society and the Christopher Housing Society to take over operations of the housing projects.
The buildings were transferred as a free, charitable donation because the previous non-profit societies that owned the buildings will cease to exist by the end of 2015. The organizations had to disperse their assets to another non-profit organization, according to the Societies Act.
“It made me feel quite proud because we were chosen as a result of our community collaborations we already have existing,” said Linda Sankey, executive director of the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society.
These buildings will add to the 23-unit apartment building and two residential group homes for people with disabilities that the organization already operates.
Abbott Towers, which originally opened in June 1985, has had several recent updates, including the main floor communal kitchen and social room and is within walking distance of Okanagan Lake, directly across the street from a transit stop.
The suites in Columbus Park range in size from two to four bedrooms. The building also has two daycare facilities that operate on site.
“We’re going to continue on with the general feel as the previous operators of the buildings,” Sankey said.
SOSBIS is taking over operations, but Sankey said they will be keeping the existing tenants and, as units become vacant, slowly mixing clients into the buildings.
“What it means for our clients is that they will have better access to subsidized housing in the community, and what it means for the current tenants is that not much is going to change for them,” Sankey said.
Better access to this type of housing is something Sankey feels the community needs.
“There are so many people in our community who are living at or below the poverty line and this type of housing provides safe and affordable housing for people so they can live a more financial manageable existence,” Sankey said.
For more information about the low-income housing, please contact the housing registry at 1-800-834-7149 or complete an online application at www.bchousing.org.
For more information about SOSBIS or their programs go to their website, www.sosbis.com, or call 250-490-0613.