‘Largest affordable housing investments in Kamloops history’; Provincial announcement targets entire housing spectrum

In addition to those builds, the province also announced a women’s housing project and funding for 100 new shelter spaces.

The funding comes from the NDP government’s BC Builds program with the hopes of providing homes across the spectrum of income levels — from shelters to low- and middle-income.

“BC Housing historically has supported people earning less than $90,000 a year. BC Builds moves us into middle income housing — that missing middle — and so having 200 units here and more at the Tranquille site means we are going to be able to target those professionals we desperately need,” added Kahlon.

The precinct lands have long been looked at in Kamloops as a site for redevelopment, and now the buildings at 515 and 527 Columbia are slated to be torn down this summer.

“Today, we are one giant leap closer to solutions for the housing crisis in Kamloops,” said Deputy Mayor Katie Neustaeter. “Seniors and families leaving in unsecure housing, folks with disabilities whose needs are too often forgotten. Women and children escaping domestic violence, people longing for a home instead of a shelter bed, people wishing for a shelter bed instead of a riverbank will soon have a place to rest their heads in Kamloops.”

In addition 200 units along Columbia aimed at middle income earners, the new homes coming to Kamloops in the North Shore on Oak Road and along Mission Flats will help support the communities most vulnerable.

“Information that our council requested from the province in February conclusively demonstrated that most unhoused people in our community are Kamloops residents,” said Neustaeter. “Whether or not we are aware of it, they are our neighbours, they are our friends, they are our coworkers, they are our family.”

There are currently about 500 homeless people living in Kamloops.

The new build along Lorne Street will be partially targeted at seniors, a section of the population often forgotten in housing challenges.

“We know that there is a need here, in particular, for seniors to have that place to go that is safe, so that is why there is a focus to it. I mentioned it earlier but folks who have worked their entire lives are now finding themselves in challenging situations and we need to be able to catch them,” said Kahlon.

While the projects on the Precinct lands are still going out to bid, the other projects have already received approvals with construction scheduled to begin this summer with some opening in 2025.

“We have more work to do. This announcement is significant no doubt, but it doesn’t solve all our challenges. We have more work to do,” said Kahlon.

by Michael Reeve

‘Largest affordable housing investments in Kamloops history’; Provincial announcement targets entire housing spectrum

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