By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle
Oliver is seeking $1.37 million from the federal government to increase its housing capacity serviced by Similkameen Avenue from 1,000 homes to 4,000 homes.
The Similkameen Avenue project directly relates to enabling more housing densification by increasing the capacity of water and sewer utilities from the current 1,000 homes to four times as many.
At Oliver’s recent March 10 council meeting, the town decided to apply to the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund for $1,377,315, which would cover 50 per cent of the $2.75 million project.
Council voted unanimously to apply for the grant.
Councillor Aimee Grice explained, “I think this is a great opportunity . . . to be able to get this amount of infrastructure built at 50 cents on the dollar is a good opportunity for us. It sure is nice to see the feds step up with some infrastructure funding.”
If successful, the town would then be left to cover the other $1.37 million.
Stephanie Moore, grants coordinator for the town explained in her presentation of the opportunity to council that the town’s financial commitment would be broken down as follows: $743,878.00 out of the General budget, $298,650.00 out of Sewer, and $334,788.00 out of Water.
Moore also noted that the town could potentially find even more funding to cover more of the project, “it is possible to stack this grant with other grants including other federal funding and provincial opportunities. But at this time additional funding opportunities have not been identified.”
The massive increase in utility potential would cover almost a quarter of the town.
The actual project would cover Similkameen Avenue from Airport Street to Fairview Road. This would involve replacing aging infrastructure that is beyond its lifespan, and increasing the capacity of the underground water and sewer utilities.
These Similkameen Avenue area utilities currently service approximately 1,000 homes, or 40 per cent of existing housing units within the town.
The actual project would cover Similkameen Avenue from Airport Street to Fairview Road.
Town of Oliver graphic
Joseph Trottier, engineering technologist with the town explained the rough grid this covers is from “Morning Star Road, down towards Skajit Avenue and Main Street, and up to Similkameen Avenue on to the other side where you reach up to Co-op Avenue.
Trottier also explained that if this project were to get the green light “a safe guess” would be between nine and 12 months from start to completion.
The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund is a $6 billion fund which is directed towards accelerating new construction, rehabilitation and expanding housing-enabling drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste infrastructure. The fund supports these if they directly support the creation of new housing supply and improved densification.
Any project considered for the grant funding must have a minimum total eligible cost of $1 million and be substantially complete by September 31, 2031. The maximum grant contribution is 50 per cent of eligible costs. However as previously noted funding opportunities can be stacked.
Grant applications will be assessed based on:
- How well the project meets the community’s housing and infrastructure needs;
- How housing needs are addressed (including number of additional units enabled, densification, known development projects supported);
- How infrastructure needs are addressed (including increased capacity and infrastructure improvements);
- Benefits to the environment and community;
- Priority and readiness.
The town’s report explains that “the Similkameen Avenue project was identified as the most suitable project for this grant application as it is a priority-one, shelf-ready project that directly relates to enabling more housing densification by increasing the capacity of water and sewer utilities from the current 1,000 homes to 4,000 homes.”
The most recent housing needs report completed in 2024 also provides additional support for the town’s application. It specifies the town’s needs for additional housing and in particular multi-unit and rental housing.
The deadline for grant applications is March 31, 2025.
