CRESTON- People living with disabilities now have access to nine new affordable rental homes in Creston, thanks to a partnership between the Province, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Kootenay Region Association for Community Living (KRACL).

The new homes are located at Spectrum Farms on Erickson Road, a 26-acre site owned by KRACL, which is home to a variety of social enterprises. The Cedar Linden Building has been renovated and converted into six one-bedroom and three two-bedroom independent units that meet the needs of low-income people with disabilities. The renovated building also includes a common lounge, kitchen and outdoor deck.

"Moving to the new building on Spectrum Farm has been a highlight in my recent life,"said Maya Moore, a tenant in the building. "My outlook on life has improved greatly in the short time I have been here and thus my mental health has improved as well. Not enough can be said for having a safe, self-contained, warm and healthy space to live in. The care and concern of all volunteers and staff who have worked to create this space is, and has been, inspiring."

The Province provided a $2.3 million grant, the Columbia Basin Trust contributed $250,000 and KRACL provided the land and is operating the new rental units. KRACL also received funding from the Creston Valley Gleaners Society and private donors.

"Everyone deserves to have a safe, stable and affordable place to call home,"said Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston, on behalf of Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "I want to thank all the community partners involved in making this project a reality and helping create a more inclusive community where people with disabilities in Creston can build good lives for themselves and their families."

Monthly rents are $475 per month for a one-bedroom unit and $675 per month for a two bedroom unit.

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:

Mark Brunton, senior manager, delivery of benefits, Columbia Basin Trust -

"Safe, healthy and affordable living conditions in a welcoming location - these are the benefits that future residents in these nine units can expect. Projects like these increase the well-being of both individuals and the communities they call home, painting a brighter future for the region overall. We thank the Kootenay Region Association for Community Living and other project partners for helping to make such a difference."

Alex Nilsson, president, Kootenay Region Association for Community Living board -

"The Kootenay Region Association board welcomes this new addition of much-needed affordable housing in the Kootenays for persons with disabilities, and thanks the Province, Columbia Basin Trust, the Creston Valley Gleaners and private donors for financial contributions. The board also acknowledges our general contractor Mountain Spring Holdings, our architect Christine Ross, other designers and sub-contractors, operation managers Eric Kutzner and Serena Naeve, and members from the Legacy Housing Society who volunteered on the KRACL advisory housing and tenancy committees, and the KRACL board members for their contributions to this large project."

Adam Casemore, director, Area C, Regional District of Central Kootenay -

"It is an absolute pleasure to have this affordable rental housing complex developed within RDCK Area C. This project is a true testament to what can be achieved with the collaboration of different associations, organizations and partnerships. I'm very pleased that the provincial government is developing more of these opportunities for individuals and families across the province. I am grateful for this important investment in our community and extend my appreciation to everyone who was involved in making this project a reality."

Quick Facts:

• 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

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially-funded housing projects in B.C. is available online at: 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
778 584-1255

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