More than 500 new affordable homes and shelter spaces are coming to Kamloops as part of Premier David Eby’s $19-billion housing initiative.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon told Radio NL it is the largest affordable housing announcement in the history of Kamloops.

“Every time there’s a UBCM or some sort of gathering, the councillors having been coming and meeting with me and saying hey we need housing we need housing. I have to say that the staff here in Kamloops are fantastic,” Kahlon said. “They’ve been working very closely with our folks, to be able to identify all these sites and then bring all the amazing not-for-profit partners to the table, this is no small thing.”

“The entire housing continuum is being announced today…It’s the full spectrum.”

In a statement, Deputy Mayor for June Katie Neustaeter said the City of Kamloops is “thrilled” with the announcement, noting its a major milestone in the City’s efforts to create more attainable and diverse housing options.

“This transformational announcement for our community has been made possible through persistent advocacy and partnership,” Neustaeter said.

“Unified in purpose, we are forging pathways of progress, demonstrating that with a dedicated vision, we can achieve affordability, housing diversity, necessary supports, and a safe place to call ‘home’ for all in Kamloops.”

The biggest investment of housing in the history of @CityofKamloops, more than 500 new homes and shelter spaces are coming here!

✅200 #BCBuilds Homes
✅100 HEARTH Spaces
✅98 Supportive Homes
✅80 CHF Homes
✅40 Shelter Beds
✅22 Women’s Transition🏡

👉🏾 https://t.co/AfmabRkEyv pic.twitter.com/HwFR0Cdr1X

— Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) June 24, 2024

The centrepiece of the announcement is a 200 unit development for families and individuals that will be located on the so-called Columbia Precinct Lands at 515 and 527 Columbia St., which is owned by the Ministry of Citizens’ Services.

That project is designed to target the “missing middle,” as part of the BC Builds Initiative, which aims to ensure that middle-income British Columbians spend no more than 30 per cent of their income on rent. Families with incomes from $84,780 to $131,950 are eligible for a studio or one-bedroom unit, while those with incomes between $134,410 and $191,910 are eligible for a two-bedroom home or larger.

“BC Builds is not a traditional government housing program,” the Province said, in a statement. “There are other government and BC Housing programs that provide homes for low- to moderate-income earners.”

“BC Builds delivers housing for households at the top end of current BC Housing program income eligibility and beyond, to meet the growing need for more housing for people in these middle-income ranges.”

The Ministry of Housing says the Columbia site has already been zoned for 200 spaces. It notes the two existing provincial office buildings on site will be demolished this summer.

That project is the second BC Builds site in Kamloops, with the first located at 377 Tranquille Rd. – the site of the former Northbridge hotel.

Two other housing projects announced Monday were selected through the recently announced intake of Building BC: Community Housing Fund, which will provide approximately 80 individuals, families, seniors, and people living with disabilities with affordable rental rates for low to moderate incomes.

The larger of these projects, a 60-unit building called The Marquee, will be located at 604 Lorne St. and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“Marquee is a landmark project that blends affordability with support services to create a thriving, inclusive community,” CMHA Kamloops Executive Director Alfred Achoba said. “The project reflects our commitment to provide more than just housing, but a platform for community engagement and personal growth.”

“Through Marquee, we are setting new standards for how housing can improve mental-health supports and social integration.”

The second Community Housing Fund project will be located at 210 Oak Rd., and operated by the Connective Supportive Housing Society.

“Connective has been operating affordable housing safely and successfully since 1999 and currently owns and operates over 300 units of housing within the community of Kamloops,” Lindsay Lord, the CEO of the Connective Support Society Kamloops said.

“We are pleased to work alongside BC Housing and the City of Kamloops to build much-needed affordable housing in our community.”

The announcement also includes two modular buildings to be installed at 769-845 Mission Flats Rd., and will include 98 units of supportive housing, which are expected to be open by 2025. These will replace the 54 units of modular housing currently located at 805 Mission Flats Rd. with current tenants given first right of refusal.

The Ministry of Housing also says a 40-bed year-round shelter geared mainly towards seniors and older adults experiencing homelessness is being developed at 1055 Glenfair Dr.

The City of Kamloops is also working with BC Housing to bring the Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) and Homeless Encampment Action Temporary Housing (HEARTH) programs to the community. The Ministry of Housing is expected to pledge 100 units in Kamloops – at a site to be determined – in the coming months.

Work is also underway on a 22-bed second-stage women’s housing project in partnership with the Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society. That development is for women and children fleeing violence; for privacy and security reasons, the location is not being revealed.

“We have been providing affordable housing since incorporation in 1984 and currently offers 116 units throughout the community,” Allison Mclauchlan, the Executive Director of the Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society said.

“Domestic abuse takes the lives of women and children and the need to provided safe affordable housing is essential for our community.”

Monday’s announcement is the culmination of months of talks and advocacy by Kamloops City Council and administrators, including a pair of February meetings with Minister Kahlon, and BC Builds lead Lisa Helps during the Union of BC Municipalities Housing Summit.

“Its very rare to get a council come forward in a uniformed way, all of them together, saying ‘hey, we need this. We need to support the most vulnerable people in our community’ and so I said to them ‘because you’ve come this way, our staff we’re 100 per cent committed,'” Kahlon said.

“This announcement today is a byproduct of that meeting because they came to the table and said ‘we want to do something here, we want to something there.’ And we’re like ‘okay.'”

“We understand that housing is about more than just putting a roof over a head. It’s about creating a sense of belonging, dignity, and well-being,” added Neustaeter. “By working together with willing partners, we’re creating a safer, more inclusive, and vibrant city that meets the needs of all residents.”

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson did not show up for either meeting, despite having made the trip to Vancouver to attend the summit.

Summary of new projects planned for Kamloops

• 515 and 527 Columbia St. – BC Builds site – approximately 200 units:
  • Proposals are being sought on the BC Builds Housing Opportunities website for a residential developer and housing operator to utilize the pre-zoned space.
  • The two existing provincial office buildings on the site will be demolished this summer.
• 769-845 Mission Flats Rd. – 98 units:
  • The Province, through BC Housing, is providing approximately $19.6 million for the project through the Supportive Housing Fund.
  • The modular homes will consist of a 52-unit and a 46-unit building.
  • Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with occupancy targeted for 2025.
• Community Housing Fund projects – approximately 80 units:
  • The two projects were selected during the most recent intake of applications for the Community Housing Fund.
  • Marquee, at 604 Lorne St., will provide approximately 60 new homes for seniors and people living with disabilities, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Kamloops.
  • 210 Oak Rd. will provide approximately 20 new homes for seniors, families and individuals in partnership with Connective Support Society Kamloops.
• Shelter – 1055 Glenfair Dr. – approximately 40 beds:
  • The shelter will mainly be for seniors and older adults experiencing homelessness in the community.
• Proposed women’s housing project – approximately 22 units:
  • The Province, through BC Housing is working with partners to open a 22-bed, second-stage women’s transition house in the community.
  • In partnership with Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society, this will provide second-stage housing for women and children leaving violence.
  • To ensure privacy for future residents, the addresses for women’s second-stage housing projects are confidential.
• Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing – 100 units:
  • Approximately 100 units are planned to be announced in the coming months.