WILLIAMS LAKE – People with low to moderate incomes, including those with disabilities, now have access to 39 new affordable rental homes with the opening of a project at 253 First Ave. North.

“Everyone deserves to have a secure and affordable home, where they are welcomed as part of a community,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We’re proud to support this project, which will provide safe, affordable homes for more people in Williams Lake.”

Williams Lake Association for Community Living is operating the five-storey building, which includes eight units for people affected by intellectual disabilities or mental health challenges and two fully accessible units.

“We are very excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Ian McLaughlin, executive director, Williams Lake Association for Community Living. “It means a great deal to the people we support to have modern, affordable housing and the building is a great addition to the neighbourhood and community.”

Monthly rental rates for the studios and one- and two-bedroom units range from the provincial shelter rate of $375 to $825. These homes will be available to households with incomes from $15,000 to $33,000.

The new homes offer easy access to the amenities and services of Williams Lake downtown core.

This project is part of the more than 22,000 new homes that are completed or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments.

Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quick Facts:

• The Province provided $8 million for the project through the Affordable Rental Housing Program, a $208-million investment announced in the 2017 September Budget Update.
• Monthly rents for this project are:
  • Four studio units: $375 (provincial shelter rate)
  • Four one-bedroom units: $500;
  • 27 one-bedroom units: $690;
  • Three two-bedroom units: $825; and
  • One three-bedroom unit that consists of two accessible rooms for people with disabilities and one caregiver room. Community Living BC will pay the monthly rent of $1,600.

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Media Relations
778 698-1608

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org