David Opinko / Summit 107 News / November 13, 2018 (with quote from BCNPHA CEO Jill Atkey)
The BC Government is aiding in the construction of homes for 14 families in Fernie.
As part of the province’s effort to build 14,000 affordable rental homes in BC over the next decade, 72 projects are being supported in BC with this investment of 10’s of millions of dollars, 14 of which will go in the Elk Valley.
“Years of inaction on the B.C. housing crisis left families struggling to get by and unable to get ahead,” says Premier John Horgan. “These new, affordable rental homes are an important step toward addressing the housing crisis and giving families in every part of the province a break from skyrocketing housing costs.”
The only approved project int he East Kootenay, the Fernie Housing Society will receive $1.4 million for their 14-unit project.
The new homes are designed to address the need for affordable housing across a range of income levels, including middle-income individuals and families, deeply subsidized rentals for seniors, and homes for low-wage workers.
“This historic investment in the community housing sector is an investment in British Columbians struggling to find safe, secure and affordable housing,” said Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association. “Non-profit housing partners are hard at work turning these dollars into homes and are committed to ensuring that what is affordable in our sector today, will remain affordable for generations to come.”
In the West Kootenay, $4.5 million will go towards a 45-unit development in Nelson, $3 million in Salmon Arm to build 71 homes, and $900,000 for nine units in Trail.