Families and individuals with low incomes will soon have access to more affordable housing options when construction is complete on a new apartment-style building in central Penticton.

The Penticton & District Community Resources Society, together with Catalyst Community Development Society, have been selected as the successful proponents to build and operate a 67-unit building at 284 Brunswick St., providing more families with a safe place to call home.

The building will include wheelchair-accessible units and its location will provide residents with easy access to downtown Penticton and park amenities at nearby Okanagan Lake.

The project is the result of a partnership between the B.C. government and City of Penticton to create new affordable rental housing in the community.

The Province will provide construction financing and will work together with the societies to fully develop the plan for construction, estimated to start in mid-2017.

A second site at 260 Brunswick St. will be developed at a later date.

Quotes:

Dan Ashton, MLA for Penticton –

“This is a great step forward in the process of building more affordable housing options in Penticton that will help young families and individuals stay in this community. I’d like to congratulate Penticton & District Community Resources Society and Catalyst Community Development Society on being selected to advance their project and I look forward to the start of construction.”

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, City of Penticton –

"We are grateful that the Province partnered with us on a significant step forward on this serious issue for many in our community. The task force we created to focus on housing for young families and the working poor has been invaluable. I am confident the partnership with these two great societies will be as well.”

Tanya Behardien, executive director, Penticton & District Community Resources Society –

“We are thrilled to partner with the Province, City of Penticton and Catalyst Community Development Society, to create much-needed housing for families in Penticton. We are eager to move this project through the development stages and start the construction process next year.”

Robert Brown, president, Catalyst Community Development Society –

“Our goal in this partnership is to assist in creating a vibrant, affordable and inspiring place for people to live that meet the needs of the community. We would like to thank all levels of government for supporting this project.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• This year, more than 102,500 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• Last year, the Province invested more than $5.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 1,400 households in Penticton. This includes providing support for more than 1,000 senior households and nearly 200 family households.

Learn More:

• For more information on affordable housing programs and the province’s efforts to end homelessness in B.C., please visit: www.housingmattersbc.ca/factsheets.html
• For BC Housing: www.bchousing.org
• Follow BC Housing on Twitter @BC_Housing (twitter.com)