05
October
2021
|
15:50 PM
America/Los_Angeles

Province exploring redevelopment for seniors housing complex in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS - The Province, through BC Housing, is exploring opportunities to replace the aging housing units at the Glenfair seniors complex in Kamloops with newer high-quality affordable homes.

“Glenfair has provided safe and affordable homes for seniors and people with disabilities in Kamloops for decades,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. "A redevelopment could modernize its aging homes and ensure that it continues to be a valuable housing resource for the community for years to come. I look forward to working with the community and BC Housing to explore redevelopment of these homes.”

Located at 1100 Glenfair Dr., its 80 housing units are aging and require extensive and ongoing repairs. A redevelopment may provide an opportunity to build additional units at the site.

“The city is encouraged to see that BC Housing will be conducting a thorough planning and engagement process to help inform the redevelopment of Glenfair,” said Ken Christian, mayor, City of Kamloops. “The replacement of aging affordable housing stock and the commitment by BC Housing to offer new affordable units on site to the existing tenants aligns with the Downtown Plan’s land-use policies for this area of the Columbia Precinct.”

Glenfair is owned by BC Housing. Its nine residential buildings opened between 1958 and 1982. Five of the buildings are one storey with four units each. The other four have two storeys with six to 24 units. The buildings provide affordable housing for seniors and people living with disabilities who are on fixed incomes.

The planning process is in the early stages. Tenants, neighbouring residents and key stakeholders have been advised of a consultation process, which is expected to begin immediately. During this engagement process, tenants will have the opportunity to help shape development plans for the property.

If the redevelopment project is approved, tenants will be supported to stay in their units as much as possible until the new homes are completed. Existing tenants will be given first choice of new units, with no changes to their monthly rent unless their income or household size has changed.

Quick Facts:

  • The Province, through BC Housing, is providing a development funding grant of approximately $427,000, which will go toward the hiring of consultants for the due diligence, feasibility, planning and stakeholder consultation work associated with redevelopment.
  • A project budget will be determined once designs and a timeline are in place.

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/

Contacts:

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

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org