KAMLOOPS – Low- to middle-income people in Kamloops will benefit from 112 new affordable rental homes.

“People in Kamloops deserve to have an affordable home close to friends and family,” said Selina Robinson, Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why we are working hard with our partners to build homes that seniors and families can afford in their own communities throughout the province.”

The Province is partnering with Centre for Seniors Information Kamloops and Stoni Flats Developments to build the homes at 630 Victoria St. The six-storey wood frame building will feature a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, including 12 two-bedroom homes, which will be available to families. The downtown location is ideal for an affordable seniors and family housing project, close to transit and walking distance to many amenities.

The society is receiving $11.2 million from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund, as well as annual operating funding, for the project.

This project is part of 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 B.C. Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quotes:

Ken Christian, mayor, City of Kamloops –
"The city is proud to support this project, which will provide affordable housing for seniors and families in our community. This project is in a great location and close to the many wonderful amenities downtown. We are pleased that valued senior members and families in our community will be offered an affordable place to call home."

Brenda Prevost, operations manager, Centre for Seniors Information Kamloops –
“This is a very exciting event for everyone involved. On almost a daily basis, the Centre for Seniors Information receives requests to help someone find available and affordable housing. From seniors to families, this accessible 112-unit housing complex in downtown Kamloops makes us one step closer to meeting the needs of many who face uncertainty and poverty to just have a safe and affordable home to live. Future tenants will also benefit from the opportunity to gain direct information about community programs and referral services offered by our organization.”

Spencer Illingworth, general manager, Stoni Flats Development Inc. –
“We are thrilled to be participating in a partnership that is driven to improving the quality of life for our seniors. We appreciate being provided the opportunity to bring our skills in developing the project through to realization, and see that the combination of high-quality retail space, combined with 112 residential units wrapped in an integrated development further contributes to the ongoing growth of the City of Kamloops.”

Quick Facts:

• This housing development is funded through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years to build more than 14,000 mixed-income rental homes throughout the province
• The projected rent mix for this project will be:
  • 22 studios and one-bedroom units for seniors with low incomes (i.e. seniors on fixed incomes): $375;
  • 56 rent-geared-to-income units (seniors with low to moderate incomes): approximately $700 (one-bedroom units and one-bedroom plus den); and
  • 34 middle-income units: approximately $1,000 (one-bedroom and one-bedroom plus den units) to $1,200 (two-bedroom units)
• The Province is working in partnership to increase the supply of affordable rental housing in Kamloops. Through government’s Building BC program, there are 478 homes completed or underway in Kamloops, with an additional 533 student homes being delivered at Thompson Rivers University

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: 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:

Darren Harbord
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
250 882-8518

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership to build 114,000 affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians by 2028.

Budget 2018 included a $7-billion investment in the homes people need. As a result of that investment, more than 22,000 new homes are completed, under construction or in the approvals process for a range of people who are struggling to find a place to live, from people who are experiencing homelessness and seniors on fixed incomes, to middle-income families, students and individuals. As of Aug. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for middle-income earners (households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000) – approximately 4,120 homes:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 1,500 rental homes for people with middle incomes.
• HousingHub: approximately 2,620 homes.

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes (including some where rents are based on 30% of household income and others with set rents, which are designed to be affordable; to moderate-income households, in most cases earning less than $70,000 annually) – approximately 9,320 homes:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 3,700 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes.
• Affordable Rental Housing Program: nearly 1,600 homes for low to moderate incomes.
• Deepening Affordability Fund: more than 2,150 homes for low to moderate incomes.
• Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: approximately 1,170 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off-reserve.
• Regional Housing First Program: approximately 700 homes for people with low to moderate incomes.

Housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (shelter-rate housing) – approximately 3,060 homes:

• Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,064 homes with 24/7 support.
• Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: approximately 800 homes with 24/7 support.
• Regional Housing First Program: approximately 200 homes for those ready to live independently with supports.

Housing for women and children leaving violence – approximately 360 homes:

• Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: approximately 360 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence.

Housing for students – approximately 5,600 homes:

• BC Student Housing Loan Program: approximately 2,700 on-campus student housing units are underway or in the approvals process.
• Nearly 2,900 student housing units are also underway or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions.

Total: approximately 22,460 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org