Affordable seniors’ housing breaks ground in Kelowna

December 11, 2009

KELOWNA, B.C. – The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, broke ground today on an $11.7 million, 72-unit housing development for seniors and persons with disabilities.

“The Government of Canada is helping Canadian seniors and persons with disabilities during these tough economic times by providing $2,673,000 made available for the initiative through our governments Economic Action Plan, to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession,” said Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Here in Kelowna, this achievement gives hope to seniors and people with disabilities who need quality, affordable housing that meets their needs, while creating local jobs.”

“Seniors need more access to affordable rental housing so they can continue living in the communities they call home,” said The Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and MLA for Kelowna-Mission. “Through this partnership with the federal government, we’re not only increasing the supply of affordable rental housing for low-income seniors and people with disabilities in Kelowna, we’re also stimulating our local economy by creating approximately 115 direct and indirect jobs.” 

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Initiative Agreement, the federal and provincial governments are contributing a combined total of $5,373,000 million for 36 of the 72 affordable Seniors’ Rental Housing (SRH) units. CMHC also provided $30,000 in Proposal Development Funding (PDF). The Province will also provide $6,310,000 in construction financing towards the purchase of the remaining 36 units and PDF of $390,000 to the entire project. 

The land, valued at $1.1 million, was made possible by a generous donation from Gordon and Helen Ziglar. The National Society of Hope has invested an additional $1.5 million for an on-site Seniors’ Recreation and Support Center. The project is ideally located at 2059 Benvoulin Court across the street from the Orchard Park Shopping Center in Kelowna, B.C.  
 
“We are committed to providing quality affordable housing opportunities to Kelowna residents most in need,” said Lorne Gerber, president of The National Society of Hope president. “Through our partnership with the federal and provincial governments, we are able to fulfil this commitment by providing seniors and persons with disabilities affordable rental housing so they can maintain their independence.” 
 
The Seniors’ Rental Housing (SRH) initiative is a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia.  The SRH initiative will provide $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop up to 1,000 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments will provide matching contributions of $61.79 million.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. It provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

The Province of British Columbia $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.

For more information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.  To find out how CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. Through Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and homeownership.  In 2009, the provincial housing budget is $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001. To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit www.bchousing.org.