By Times Chronicle Staff
A new three-storey apartment building providing forty-three rental units for low and moderate income families, seniors and people living with disabilities has just opened in Keremeos.
Centrally located at 714 Veterans Way, the Ambrosia (named after the Similkameen apple variety), the apartment building has a mix of studio, one-, two and three-bedroom units. Monthly rents range from approximately $420 to $1,380, depending on unit size and tenant income.
The building includes 27 units that are wheelchair accessible and is located close to the village’s commercial centre and amenities, including a pharmacy, credit union and grocery store.
Residents will start moving into their homes on Nov. 1, 2022.
The project is the result of a partnership between the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society, BC Housing and local governments.
“We all want to make it easier to live, work and play in the communities that we love and call home. This new building will provide families, seniors and people living with disabilities in Keremeos another affordable housing option, so they can do just that,” said Roly Russell, MLA for Boundary Similkameen.
The Lower Similkameen Community Services Society (LSCSS) will operate the building and deliver community programs out of commercial space on the ground floor.
“Lower Similkameen Community Services Society is honoured to have partnered with BC Housing and local governments to bring affordable housing to our community,”.
“As a local service provider for over 45 years, we are acutely aware of the need for housing, and the difference that stable housing can make in the lives of people who need it,” added Sarah Martin, executive director, LSCSS.
She added that the location of this development adjacent to local businesses will bring economic development to the area alongside amenities to Ambrosia residents.
The Province, through BC Housing, invested approximately $4.5 million through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund toward the project, and will provide approximately $274,000 in annual operating costs.
LSCSS provided the land for the building. Ambrosia House also received approximately $750,000 through the Canada-British Columbia Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
“That is why we are investing in affordable housing to create more inclusive and vibrant communities like right here in Keremeos.”
The project is part of BC’s 10-year, $7-billion housing plan. Since 2017, the Province has funded approximately 36,000 affordable new homes that are complete or underway for people in B.C., including more than 470 homes in the Okanagan-Similkameen region.
The Community Housing Fund is an investment of $1.9 billion over 10 years to build more than 14,000 affordable rental homes for low and moderate
income families and individuals. More than 8,900 of these homes are open, under construction or in development according to BC Housing.
Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $72-plus billion plan to ensure more Canadians have a home.
The NHS is a partnership between the federal, provincial and territorial governments and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors.
Meanwhile the Province, through BC Housing, and the City of Grand Forks have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing their commitment to work together to develop new housing for people in the community.
As part of the MOU, BC Housing and the City of Grand Forks have agreed to work together to replace the Hardy View Lodge shelter at 2320-78th Ave., which is operating under a temporary-use permit and is set to close by March 31, 2023.
The City of Grand Forks will propose municipally owned properties or other sites that may be suitable for a new shelter or supportive housing building for BC Housing’s consideration. BC Housing will then evaluate the proposed sites and handle all aspects of designing, building and securing funding for the project.
In addition, BC Housing will explore the sale of the property at 7382-2nd St. to the city for the future development of a new affordable housing project. BC Housing would work with the city to identify suitable funding programs for the building and will update the public as these discussions progress.
“The council and Province have worked together to find mutually agreeable and beneficial strategies to help solve the housing crunch in Grand Forks,” said Brian Taylor, mayor, Grand Forks.
“This MOU sets the tone for upcoming collaboration, ensuring that any new housing meets the needs of the community and is built in the most suitable locations. I would also like to thank Councillor Baker for undertaking this project as the council’s liaison to BC Housing.”
