PENTICTON – The Province, through BC Housing, has purchased a site in Penticton as the future location of 50 new permanent supportive homes for people who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

“These new homes will provide the fresh start people need along with around-the-clock supports to help them achieve their goals – whether that’s reconnecting with family, tackling health or mental health challenges, or finding employment,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “Our government is working to ensure all British Columbians have a safe place to call home.”

The vacant site, located at 3240 Skaha Lake Rd., will be developed into a four-storey building with up to 54 units. The facility will be modelled after the successful Burdock House supportive housing project that BC Housing opened in October 2019, and which is operated by ASK Wellness Society. Staff will be on site 24/7 to provide supports, including meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services and other offerings like those at Burdock House.

While no rezoning is required for the site, BC Housing will conduct two virtual, small-group community dialogue sessions in January 2021 to provide people with information about the development plans and an opportunity for conversation about how to integrate the new housing into the community. As with other projects, once it is closer to completion, BC Housing will set up a community advisory committee so a structure will be in place to support integration, once the site is operating.

The supportive housing units are the first phase of the site’s development. The rest of the site will be kept available for future affordable housing projects for people in Penticton, including seniors, singles, families and/or people with a disability.

An experienced operator for the project will be confirmed later. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2021 and anticipated to be completed in summer 2022.

“This is an important investment for people in the Okanagan,” said Roly Russell, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. “We know how critical housing is to help so many in our rural communities that are struggling. The last three years have had amazing progress addressing housing in B.C., and I'm excited to build upon that momentum. This purchase of land is an important first step to ensuring residents here have safe and affordable housing and the supports they need to succeed.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province invested $14.8 million for the purchase and construction costs through the Supportive Housing Fund and will provide an annual operating subsidy for the project.
• 1,564 total BuildingBC and HousingHub housing units are completed or underway in Central Okanagan and Okanagan-Similkameen, including:
  • 492 units completed (Kelowna, Okanagan Falls, Penticton); and
  • 1,072 units in progress (Kelowna, Keremeos, Oliver, Penticton, West Kelowna, Westbank).

Learn More:

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

For more information about the Penticton project, visit: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/penticton-3240-skaha

Contacts:

Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing
Media Relations
778 678-1572

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org