Families and seniors with low to moderate incomes will soon have access to 19 new affordable rental homes in Nakusp with construction underway on two housing projects.

“These new homes will provide urgently needed safe, secure and affordable housing for people in Nakusp,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West and Minister Responsible for the Columbia Basin Trust. “These projects are a great example of what we can accomplish by working together, and I want to thank our partners for all of their efforts to make sure more families and seniors will have the peace of mind that comes with having a good place to call home.”

In partnership with the Arrowtarian Senior Citizens Society, construction has started on a three-storey, wood-frame building located at 206 7th Ave. that will provide nine affordable rental homes for seniors. The adaptable and accessible one-bedroom units will add to the 43 rental units owned and managed by the society on the same site. The projected rent for units in this project will be $730 per month. The building is expected to be complete by October 2020.

Work is also getting started on 10 new affordable rental units for individuals, seniors and families at 101 1st Ave. N.W. in Nakusp. The townhouse project will be operated by Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services Society. Monthly rents are projected to range from $590 for an accessible one-bedroom unit to $1,450 for a three-bedroom unit. This project is scheduled to be complete by October 2020.

These projects are 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:

Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development –

“Our government believes all Canadians deserve access to safe and affordable housing. This is why we are investing in affordable housing across British Columbia, to create jobs and improve the quality of life of people who need it most. Because of dedicated partners like the Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services Society, soon more affordable rental homes will be available to seniors to help meet the needs of this growing community.”

Tom Zeleznik, mayor, Village of Nakusp –

“Council is extremely pleased to see the development of the next phase of the Arrowtarian Senior Citizens Association housing to provide additional affordable housing for our seniors, as well as witnessing the construction of the new 10-unit housing project on 1st Avenue North West. The Village of Nakusp strives to be a senior-friendly community and recognizes all the accomplishments and contributions that our seniors have given to our community and making our community what it is today. In addition, having affordable housing will enable many of our younger residents and families to stay, live, work and play within our community. Thank you to all the partners that have made these affordable housing projects a reality.”

Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust –

“It’s a special day when we can break ground on not one, but two affordable housing projects in one small community. These 19 units will make a significant difference to many people who choose to call Nakusp home, and will strengthen the foundation of the entire area. We thank the Province, the village, the two local societies and all other contributors for partnering with us to improve quality of life in the basin.”

Cornelius Froese, president, Arrowtarian Senior Citizens Society –

“The directors and management of the Arrowtarian Senior Citizens Society are extremely pleased to see this project underway, which will provide safe and affordable homes for seniors in the community. We would like to thank the Province, Columbia Basin Trust, Arrow Lakes Health Care Auxiliary Society, Kootenay Savings Credit Union and members of the public for their generous donations to enable this construction. We would also like to thank Absolute Contracting and the Village of Nakusp for their support.”

Tim Payne, executive director, Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services Society –

“Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services are very excited about being awarded a much-needed affordable housing project here in the Village of Nakusp. The development has certainly created a lot interest from the local residents and will help address the housing needs that are reflected in a cross population of folks within the community. It was made possible by strong local partnerships and through government initiatives driven and supported by Columbia Basin Trust and BC Housing.”

Quick Facts:

• Funding for the project at 206 7th Ave.:
  • The Province is providing $1.45 million in capital funding and $587,000 in construction financing.
  • The Columbia Basin Trust is providing $275,000.
  • Arrowtarian Seniors Citizens Society is contributing $170,000 of its own equity and the land valued at $72,000.
  • Arrow Lakes Health Care Auxiliary is providing $100,000 for the elevator.
  • Kootenay Savings Community Foundation is providing $10,000.
• Funding for the project at 101 1st Ave. N.W.:
  • The Province and the Columbia Basin Trust are providing a combined investment of $1.88 million.
  • The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is providing $757,000 via the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, a National Housing Strategy initiative.
  • Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services Society is contributing the land valued at $70,000, which was purchased at a discount from the Village of Nakusp for the purpose of providing affordable housing.

Learn More:

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 and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50%. To find out more, visit: www.placetocallhome.ca

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

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

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

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