Affordable Housing Projects to Receive Funding
By Rossland Telegraph
ROSSLAND — The Government of British Columbia is working with the Columbia Basin Trust to build 167 new homes for people struggling to find housing they can afford, in ten Kootenay communities.
Rossland will receive funding to develop 24 housing units, planned to be built on the western side of the land known as “the Emcon lot.” The project was initiated by the City of Rossland, and will be operated by the Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society.
“People living in the Columbia Basin, like the rest of the province, are feeling the weight of the lack of available, affordable housing,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government recognizes the urgent need to create more options for people struggling to find reasonably priced rental homes. These new projects will help make life more affordable for families in the region by delivering the housing they need and can afford.”
Ten new housing projects in the Columbia Basin region will increase the availability of affordable rental homes for individuals, families, seniors or those with disabilities, who are earning a low to moderate income.
Apart from Rossland, the following communities have been selected to receive funding, based on the impact each project will have in reducing the community’s affordable rental housing need:
* Castlegar: 11 units, operated by Kootenay Society for Community Living
* Fernie: 35 units, operated by Fernie Family Housing Society
* Invermere: 16 units, operated by Family Dynamix Association
* Kimberley: 4 units, operated by Kimberley Seniors Project Society
* Nakusp: 10 units, operated by Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services
* Nelson: 3 units, operated by Nelson CARES
* Nelson: 39 units, operated by Share Housing Initiative Society
* Revelstoke: 21 units, operated by Revelstoke Community Housing Society
* Slocan: 4 units, operated by Slocan Valley Seniors’ Housing Society
“It’s clear that we need a new approach to help Kootenay residents,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West and Minister Responsible for the Columbia Basin Trust. “I’m thrilled that our partnership with the Columbia Basin Trust is delivering on our goal for fair and affordable housing. These investments will make real, positive impacts on people’s lives.”
