New senior’s housing breaks ground in Creston

Officials gather to celebrate a new 24-unit development in Creston for seniors in need and people with disabilities. From left to right: Carrie Schafer, Community Liaison, CBT; Len Folkman, Councillor, Town of Creston; Jerry Schmalz, Councillor, Town of Creston; Joanna Wilson, Councillor, Town of Creston; Tanya Ducharme, Councillor, Town of Creston; Danna Locke, Director, Regional Development, BC Housing; Brandon Knorr, Junior Project Manager, Scuka Enterprises Ltd.

The Town of Creston, in partnership with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia and Columbia Basin Trust gathered today to celebrate the official groundbreaking development of a new 24-unit development in Creston for seniors in need and people with disabilities.

"In its second year, Canada's Economic Action Plan continues to help Canadians in need. It is allowing us to put more funding into places like Seniors Housing in Creston so that more senior citizens can continue to live independently, to remain in and to contribute to the communities they call home," said Kootenay-Columbia MP Jim Abbott.

"Creston seniors will soon have a greater access to affordable housing options in their local community," said Rich Coleman, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing. "This development is another example of the Province investing in housing solutions that benefit British Columbia's seniors."

This project is made possible through funding contributions from the Town of Creston, the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada and Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). This development is designed to stimulate the local economy and increase affordable rental housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities in smaller communities across the province.

"Creston is thankful that our community was selected to participate in this partnership. The 24-unit development at 200-11 Avenue South will greatly enhance the rental housing sector," said Mayor Ron Toyota. "During the past two months, I have taken several phone calls and visits to my office from citizens wanting to participate. Once the management organization or society is announced, our list of names will be forwarded."

"One of our goals is to assist communities in dealing with affordable housing issues, and in particular, to support new housing initiatives," said Garry Merkel, CBT Board Chair. "This is a unique opportunity for CBT to be involved in, not only in creation of 24 units here in Creston, but in the creation of a significant number of housing units Basin-wide, and increasing senior's housing throughout the region; it is something that we are really pleased to be part of."

Columbia Basin Trust has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs of eight sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 114 units under the Seniors' Rental Housing (SRH) initiative. Projects will be built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke (2) and Valemount.

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 Initiative Agreement, which includes funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia.

This initiative, initially announced by the two levels of government on April 8, 2009, will provide $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop approximately 1,300 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.