ARCHIVED: Natural Gas Development
- The Central Okanagan Kiwanis Society owned Kiwanis Towers in Kelowna and sold the building to a private-numbered company in mid-December 2016.
- As a result of the sale, the Central Okanagan Kiwanis invoked a one-year termination clause in the operating agreement with BC Housing, which had begun March 1, 1976.
- When a non-profit society sells a property covered by a BC Housing contract, the agreement does not automatically transfer to the new owner. In this case, the purchaser was a for-profit company and, as such, is not eligible to continue the relationship with BC Housing.
- Tenants living at Kiwanis Towers may be eligible to receive rent supplements from the Province. The SAFER rental assistance program gives low-income seniors the flexibility to choose where they want to live, and the assistance helps with housing costs. For more information about SAFER, visit: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Providing/SAFER
- BC Housing has worked with the Central Okanagan Kiwanis Society to ensure that all tenants are fully aware of the assistance available under the SAFER program. Tenants with any questions about SAFER eligibility can call BC Housing at 1 800 257-7756.
- Tenants can also contact the Residential Tenancy Branch if they have concerns with any changes to the tenancy made by the new owners.
- The building is now considered private market housing and operates independently of BC Housing.
Media Contacts
Lindsay Byers
Ministry of Natural Gas Developmentand Responsible for Housing
250 952-0617
