Affordable housing for the Columbia Valley

Columbia Basin Trust and the B.C. government are pooling their resources

1 of 2Neil Muth is CEO of Columbia Basin Trust. — Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Trust

2 of 2CBT partnered with BC Housing on the Seniors’ Rental Housing initiative including Baker Gardens in Cranbrook. (L to R) Garry Merkel, board chair, CBT; former Cranbrook mayor, Scott Manjak; Bill Bennett, MLA Kootenay East; Kevin Weaver, vice-president CMHA Kootenays and David Wilks, MP Kootenay-Columbia. — Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Trust

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It will be several years before Columbia Basin Trust’s Affordable Rental Housing initiative actually hands over keys to the first residents, but the process of providing more housing has begun.

Because communities in the Columbia Basin have for years been expressing concern over the lack of affordable rental housing, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and BC Housing have partnered to address this need. In 2008 they came up with their first strategic plan, based on consultations with Columbia Basin municipal governments.

CBT has now agreed to provide a grant of $5 million, to match the $5 million in investment over three years being offered by the federal and provincial governments. Neil Muth, the CEO for CBT, states that the intention is to build “as many housing units in as many areas as possible.” Funding is intended for new units only, though conversion of existing non-residential buildings to residential space will be considered.

Communities are in the process of formulating their proposals and recommendations. The first intake session for proposals was held on April 24, and another session is planned for later this year. CBT will work with BC Housing in the selection process to finalize allocation of funds.