Infrastructure program funds affordable seniors’ housing

Artist\'s rendering of a 4-unit building plan proposed for affordable rental housing units in Columbia Basin communities.

CBT partners with the province to provide affordable seniors’ hnousing.

The Columbia Basin communities of Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke, New Denver and Valemount are about to get, in total, 114 affordable housing units on nine sites, for seniors and people with disabilities, thanks to a partnership between Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and the provincial government. The project will cost the federal and provincial governments, under the Seniors Rental Housing (SRH) initiative, a total of approximately $8,550,000 and the CBT has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs.

“It’s important we offer seniors and people with disabilities affordable housing options that meet their needs and allow them to stay in their communities,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development.

Garry Merkel, CBT board chair, is pleased with the partnership. “One of our goals is to assist communities in dealing with affordable housing issues, and in particular, to explore opportunities to support new housing initiatives. Partnering with BC Housing to develop these new units is a great chance for us to fulfill that goal while meeting a clear need in communities,” he said. “This is a unique opportunity for CBT to be involved in the creation of a significant number of housing units, particularly in rural locations within the Basin.”

The Honorable Bill Bennet, Minister of Community and Rural Development and MLA for Kootenay East said “Once again, the Columbia Basin Trust has shown their commitment as a great community partner in the Kootenay region.”

The SRH initiative, under an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, is a $365-million joint investment by the government of Canada (through Canada’s Economic Action Plan) and the government of British Columbia. A total of $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, will provide up to 1,000 new affordable rental housing units to smaller communities across B.C. Each of the two governments will share the total cost equally.

Property for the housing projects will be managed by local non-profit societies. Some developments will be co-located with existing housing projects in the communities, as is the case with Golden, Kimberley and Revelstoke.

For more information about the initiative, readers may visit http://www.cbt.org/social

CBT delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit http://www.cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.

The Province of British Columbia’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, helping to build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province and stimulating local economies across B.C.

Through Housing Matters BC, the province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and homeownership. In 2010/11, the province will invest over $562 million to provide affordable housing and fight homelessness — more than four times as much as in 2001. To find out more about affordable housing in B.C. visit http://www.bchousing.org