More than 40 new rental homes will give Oliver families, seniors and people with disabilities an affordable place to call home and help them stay in their community.

“After years of neglect by the last government, many people in our province have struggled to find safe and affordable housing,” said Selina Robinson, Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We’re going to keep working hard, along with our community partners, like M’akola Housing Society, to build the homes that people need."

M'akola Housing Society is receiving approximately $4.6 million from the Province’s Building BC: Community Housing Fund to build 46 homes at 5931 Airport Rd. The project will include one, two-and three-bedroom units within a four-storey apartment building.

The new homes will address the need for affordable housing across a range of income levels. Approximately 30% of the homes will be for middle-income households, 50% will be for low- to moderate-income households and 20% will be for households with low incomes.

Pending municipal approvals, construction for the project is expected to begin in spring 2020.

This project is part of more than 22,000 new homes that are completed or underway throughout B.C. because of provincial investments. This includes more than 5,000 homes in mixed-income buildings being developed through the Community Housing Fund.

Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quotes:

Martin Johansen, mayor, Town of Oliver –

“The Town of Oliver appreciates the investment the Province is making to provide for more affordable housing in Oliver. Council is grateful for this development to provide more safe, affordable and accessible homes for our community members. The strongest communities are those that offer a range of housing options to meet the needs of people.”

Kevin Albers, chief executive officer, M’akola Housing Society and M’akola Development Services –

“As an Indigenous housing provider, we value strong relationships and partnerships. This strategic partnership with the City of Oliver, BC Housing, M’akola Housing Society and M’akola Development Services addresses the needs of low- to moderate-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities in Oliver through housing development and property management.”

Margaret Pfoh, chief executive officer, Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) –

“AHMA member M’akola Group of Societies continues to meet the needs of our diverse communities across our province by responding to important housing initiatives and opportunities. This new project, which will supply critical housing for low- to moderate-income people in beautiful Oliver, is a great example of their accomplishments and innovation in developing and managing affordable housing. We’d like to thank the Government of B.C., Minister Selina Robinson and Premier John Horgan for their support in this project through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund. We’d also like to thank the Town of Oliver and its mayor, Martin Johansen. These 46 homes will make meaningful change for the community for many years to come.”

Quick Facts:

• This housing development is part of the first series of projects selected to receive funding through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years to build more than 14,000 mixed-income rental homes throughout the province.
  • More than 5,200 of these homes are in development and under construction, including 240 homes in the Okanagan region.
• Projects built under the Community Housing Fund will reflect the following mix of incomes:
  • 30% of the units will be for middle-income households, with annual incomes up to approximately $107,000.
  • 50% of the units will be for a range of low- to moderate-income households with annual incomes below the housing income limits, ranging from $21,000 to $96,000. (Housing income limits represent the income needed to pay the average market rent in a specific community).
  • 20% of the units will be for households with low incomes, which are up to $30,000 annually.

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is  available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.