ASK Wellness opens six-storey, 80-unit affordable housing building on Kamloops North Shore

“Having worked on the North Shore for 20 years and seeing where it was then, and to see this today as part of a broader transformation and revitalization of the of the neighbourhood, it is a really special day.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday (May 28) morning, and tenants are set to move in next month. The six-storey development has 15 one-bedroom units, 45 two-bedroom units and 15 three-bedroom units. It also has five accessible one-bedroom units.

Rents are designed to meet a range of housing needs and income levels. Hughes said these units will be for seniors, families and individuals, all living together under one roof – hence the name, The Confluence.

“We had seen people coming in and asking for help with access to housing and what we often heard was people wanted to stay together as families,” Hughes said. “You know, a mom looking after both her kids and potentially her father or mother. The idea was born to say, let’s create an intergenerational facility, something that allows for families to really stay together.”

“And then, of course, you know the word ‘confluence’ is, I think, a good metaphor for that, as well as with [Kamloops] being the confluence of two rivers.”

(Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

Construction began two years ago, but the project dates back to 2021 when the City of Kamloops bought the property and the adjacent Tranquille road property that housed the former Northbridge hotel for $7.1 million. The Campbell Avenue property was sold to BC Housing, paving the way for this development.

“The city owes a debt of gratitude to the last council who took that incredibly bold step to say, ‘We believe this is a critical piece of land and that it can be maximized in a different way in order to serve the residents of our city,'” Deputy Mayor Katie Neustaeter said.

“They handed that off to this council and we were proud to pick that up and run with it.”

Neustaeter said the city is “thrilled” by this development because of its low entry barrier for people who don’t need supports to live.

“We need housing on the spectrum in all areas,” she added. “Two years ago, we stood in this very spot and put shovels in the ground to realize this transformative vision that we’re standing in right now. This will make a tremendous difference to seniors and to families who are looking for places to live that are secure and affordable.

“We’re really thrilled about this project and to see the North Shore really coming into its own.”

Cornerstone Affordable Homes launched

The opening of The Confluence also marks the launch of Cornerstone Affordable Homes, a new sub-brand for ASK Wellness’ slate of rental properties. This building is the largest in its growing portfolio which includes 275 affordable units across Kamloops and Merritt.

“We really felt it was important to distinguish between the support services we offer and our role as a landlord, providing professionally managed affordable housing across the region,” Hughes said. “Thus was born the idea of… let’s create a new brand.”

“We’ve been doing affordable housing new buildings about every second year in the last five or six years now. We’ve already got our sights set on another location we believe will create even more opportunities for people to just pay that 30 per cent of their income toward housing, giving them that opportunity to pursue other things.”

Rental applicants are currently being accepted as the majority of units at The Confluence have not yet been accounted for. While there will be a building manager and other staff on site at times, there won’t be other services offered to residents as this is not supportive housing.

“We have a really a wide array of people who we’re able to support,” Hughes said. “It, frankly, is a culmination of our vision of streets, to homes, to health, to employment. That really is just transitioning into being a tenant where all you need is to pay rent and frankly, be nice and be part of the community.”

“I’m just really excited to see what these tenants create for their homes.”

by Victor Kaisar

ASK Wellness opens six-storey, 80-unit affordable housing building on Kamloops North Shore

Cornerstone Affordable Homes launched

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