People with low incomes in Cranbrook now have access to 20 new affordable rental homes with the opening of Victoria Gardens.

“Families and seniors in Cranbrook will benefit from more affordable housing, right in their community and close to their loved ones, schools and the services they count on,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “After decades of under-investment in housing across the province, our government is working with partners and taking action to build homes that make life more affordable for people in rural areas and throughout B.C.”

Located at 126 21 Ave. South, Victoria Gardens is a four-storey apartment building on a BC-Housing-owned lot. The new units replace the previous building on the site that was approaching the end of its life. The redevelopment has increased the number of homes from eight to 20, including 16 one- and two-bedroom homes for individuals, seniors and families with low incomes, along with four units for people living with disabilities.

Victoria Gardens is centrally located near amenities and services, including grocery stores, parks, schools and health services.

“This new apartment building will add much-needed affordable housing units in the city of Cranbrook,” said Wayne Price, mayor, Cranbrook. “On behalf of council, I want to thank the Province and BC Housing for their investment in Cranbrook and for their support of our residents.”

The Province, through BC Housing, has invested approximately $8 million in the project through the Affordable Rental Housing Program. The Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) Kootenay branch has been selected to manage the building.

“Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays is privileged to be the operator for Victoria Gardens in Cranbrook,” said Carey Fraser, executive director, CMHA for the Kootenays. “The mix of one- and two-bedroom units is safe, affordable and well-located to meet the needs of the community. We take much pride in working with the City of Cranbrook in meeting the housing needs for the people of the city.”

All former tenants were provided with relocation assistance and successfully housed elsewhere. These tenants have been offered homes at Victoria Gardens at the same rate they were paying at the original homes. Tenants began moving into the new homes on March 1, 2023.

Quick Facts:

• The project is part of B.C.’s 10-year, $19-billion housing plan.
• Since 2017, the Province has delivered more than 74,000 new homes that have been completed or are underway for people in B.C., including 250 homes in the East Kootenay region.

Learn More:

To read the Province’s Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Homes_For_People.pdf

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/