KIMBERLEY - Low-income families in Kimberley now have access to 12 new affordable homes as a result of a partnership between the Province, the Government of Canada, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Kimberley Seniors Project Society.

Located at 630 Church Ave., New Pioneer Lodge was completed in November 2019 and includes six two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units. The Kimberley Seniors Project Society owns and operates the project.

"Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home," said Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "This is why we are pleased to announce the official opening of the New Pioneer Lodge, which adds 12 new affordable rental homes that will serve as a foundation for the families here to grow and flourish in the community. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this project a reality."

Funding for the project was provided by the following:

• The Government of Canada, through CMHC. The Province jointly contributed $1.6 million through the Social Infrastructure Fund.
• The Province and Columbia Basin Trust provided $657,000 through the Columbia Basin Investment in Affordable Housing program.
• The Province also provided a grant of $100,000 through the Housing Endowment Fund and provided construction financing.
• Columbia Basin Trust provided an additional $250,000 for the project.
• Kimberley Seniors Project Society provided the land.

"No one should have to leave their community because they can't find an affordable place to call home," said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West, Minister of Children and Family Development and Minister Responsible for Columbia Basin Trust. "This housing project will provide new opportunities, security and peace of mind for families in Kimberley. We are proud to be working in partnership to build thousands of homes like these for people throughout the province."

Families started moving into their new homes in December 2019. Monthly rents are $750 per month for a two-bedroom unit and $850 per month for a three-bedroom unit.

The project is part of the more than 22,000 new homes that are complete 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.

Quotes:

Johnny Strilaeff, president and chief executive officer, Columbia Basin Trust -
"It's exciting to see 12 families be able to access these new homes, which are a vital addition to the range of housing options in Kimberley. Congratulations to all who partnered on this project, including the governments of Canada and B.C. and the Kimberley Seniors Project Society. Together, we're improving the quality of life in the Columbia Basin."

Rick Rausch, president, Kimberley Seniors Project Society -
"Kimberley Seniors Project Society has been in this for the long haul. There has been a longstanding need in Kimberley for affordable housing for low-income families. The completion of this project is a good start towards meeting this need."

Learn More:

CMHC: cmhc.ca

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca

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/

Two backgrounders follow.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER 1

Facts about housing

• More than 520 new homes are completed or underway throughout the Kootenay region because of provincial investments:
  • Columbia Basin Investment in Affordable Housing: 130 homes
  • Community Housing Fund: 122 homes
  • Indigenous Housing Fund: 52 homes
  • Women's Transition Housing Fund: 15 homes
  • Supportive Housing Fund: 34 homes
  • Affordable Rental Housing program: 20 homes
  • Deepening Affordability Fund: 56 homes
  • Student Housing (Cranbrook - College of the Rockies): 96 homes
• The Government of Canada is rolling out its National Housing Strategy, a 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 125,000 new housing units for 530,000 people, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50%.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

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 with non-profits, municipalities, First Nations, Indigenous housing organizations and the private sector 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 23,000 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 Dec. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for people with middle incomes

The average annual household income qualifying for homes underway is under $99,000 per year:

• HousingHub: 2,802 homes

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes

This includes people residing in social housing (household incomes less than $65,000) as well as those living in affordable market rentals (households with annual incomes up to $74,000) – 9,837 homes:

Affordable market:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (30% of units in each project): 1,565 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Affordable Rental Housing Program: 1,615 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Deepening Affordability Fund: 1,976 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Regional Housing First Program: 907 homes for people with low to moderate incomes

Social housing or subsidized rents:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (50% of units in each project): 2,609 rental homes for people with low incomes
• Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: 1,165 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off- reserve

Housing for people with very low incomes

Rental housing for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, or for people with very low incomes (includes supportive housing and shelter-rate housing) – 4,795 homes:

• Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,012 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: 1,060 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: 679 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence
• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (20% of units in each project): 1,044 homes

Housing for students – 5,584 homes:

• BC Student Housing Loan Program: 2,699 on-campus student housing units are under construction, in development or in the approvals process
• 2,885 student housing units are also completed, under construction or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions

Total: 23,018 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org