Homes arrive in Merritt (image credit - City of Merritt)

By Michael Reeve

MERRITT FLOOD

Flood-weary residents in Merritt finally see new homes arrive

Feb 10, 2023 | 4:35 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Valarie Stacey and her family have lived through hell twice — first during the wildfires in Barriere and then the Merritt floods. Now, after more than a year that saw the family split up due to limited space, they are almost ready to come back together as one.

“Really exciting, really exciting. [We’ve] been waiting for it for a while now. Just waiting to hear when we can move in,” said Stacey.

The first of 31 new units were officially installed in the Diamond Vale Trailer Park Friday (Feb. 10), comprised of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

“Today is a great day. Today is a fantastic day for the residents who have been affected,” said Mayor Mike Goetz. “A lot of hard work from our staff. It’s a lot of great work from the province and (Emergency Management) Minister (Bowinn) Ma to help us get here. And today is a fantastic day to finally welcome somebody who was affected by the flood into a real home. I’m looking really forward to doing it.”

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The current housing project is using more than $9 million of a nearly $12-million grant from the province.

City of Merritt Director of Flood Recovery Sean Strang admitted this isn’t a silver bullet for the community.

“This solves the problem where people who have jobs, people who have kids in school, people who had their whole lives washed down the river physically can’t find anywhere to rent, anywhere to live. That is a lot of the people who are moving into these places. To provide a sense of calm, a sense of space,” said Strang.

The city is working toward other housing initiatives with the remaining grant funding.

The Stacey family will be moving into a three-bedroom unit near the back of the park where construction is still ongoing. While the new units are not categorized as ‘affordable.’ the rents are set to be lower than many other options across the city.

“It will be a relief that we can call something as home again,” said Stacey.

Flood impacted residents are set to begin moving into their new homes in early March.