By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle

Osoyoos will soon have an additional 43 rental homes pinned on affordability and located on Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB)  land with construction due to be completed by summer 2025.

The project is the result of a partnership between the Osoyoos Indian Band, the Province of BC through BC Housing and the Government of Canada. In this case it was the OIB which brought the proposal forward Roly Russell MLA for Boundary-Similkameen told the Times Chronicle.

Wolf Creek Housing Society, owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band, will own and operate the building which is close to schools, parks, and services. When selecting residents for these homes, the Wolf Creek Housing Society will prioritize Indigenous applicants but the Ministry of Housing said in response to Times Chronicle queries that a specific allocation “will not be defined and the housing will be open to everyone in the community.”

BC Housing is kicking in $5 million through the province’s Community Housing Fund, a bilateral agreement between the federal government and BC around a national housing strategy is contributing $1.8 million, and the OIB is contributing the land valued at about $750,000.

The building will have a mix of affordable options, including market rentals, rent geared to income and deep subsidy units. The Ministry of Housing told the Times Chronicle that monthly rents will be finalized when the building is closer to completion but will range depending on unit size and tenant income. 

Approximately 20 per cent of the units will rent at shelter rates, which roughly translates to:

  • $500 for studios and one-bedroom homes,
  • $695 for two-bedroom homes,
  • $790 for three-bedroom homes.

Approximately 50 per cent of the units will be Rent Geared to Income, or approximately:

  • $1,015 for studios and one-bedroom homes,
  • $1,260 for two-bedroom homes,
  • $1,505 for three-bedroom homes,

The remaining 30 per cent of the units will be market units verified against Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data, approximately:

  • $1,493 for one-bedroom homes,
  • $2,116 for two-bedroom homes,
  • $3,064 for three-bedroom homes.

Clarence Louie, Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band said he was proud to announce this housing project, “which will help with the ongoing housing crises in the South Okanagan”.

The project is part of the federal government’s “Homes for People” action plan, aimed at creating affordable homes. “We’re taking action to deliver more housing faster, so we can support communities throughout British Columbia,” said Ravi Kahlon, federal Minister of Housing.

Located on OIB land at 4931 Cedar Lane, the five-storey apartment building will have a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for seniors, individuals, families and people living with disabilities. 

These homes will be open to all community members but will have a special emphasis on supporting Indigenous Peoples, including OIB members.

Russell noted that delivering more homes for people across the province is one of the NDP government’s fundamental priorities and this project is part of a much bigger investment in housing across a swath of different sectors and communities.

He went on to note that all of this takes place through partnerships, in this case the province working with the OIB and the federal government. “It’s all about moving the dial and unlocking more homes across the province for more people.”

“It’s fair to say that the housing crisis across the province has been impacting all communities, whether they’re small or large, whether they’re indigenous or not. And so, realistically, the province is in the process of trying to figure out and work on all available angles of this challenge to be able to say whoever is able to come to the table and, and bring forward proposals to help alleviate the pressure on the housing market those conversations are are all very welcome and exciting to be able to deliver on on any of those opportunities. “

He adds that these initiatives could be based around other Indigenous Nations or municipalities that have locally owned lands that might be appropriate.

“We’re working with local governments to try to figure out if they have municipally owned or locally owned lands, or properties that might be appropriate and it’s working with nonprofits who might be able to support them in delivering affordable housing, it’s all of those available options.”

When asked whether crown land would be potentially opened up for housing, Russell said the key focus is being driven by BC Housing and they are “looking at any available options in terms of building those out. Specifically, when you’re talking about provincially owned land, I think it would  be very much dependent on the individual example and what that looks like.”

“The Government of Canada is pleased to have supported this important development in Osoyoos,” said Harjit Sajjan, MP for Vancouver South, on behalf of Sean Fraser, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. 

“We are committed to making communities stronger through projects such as these here in British Columbia and across Canada. Not only do these investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, they also help to provide access to secure and affordable homes for community members. This collaborative effort is helping to ensure that more individuals have a place they can call home.”