A major new affordable housing project will break ground in Penticton on Tuesday.
OneSky Community Resources (formerly Penticton & District Community Resources Society), and Catalyst Community Developments Society, will break ground at 285 Nanaimo Avenue West to start construction on a five-storey building with 56 affordable rental homes.
The project is being built on land leased from the City of Penticton and with the support of BC Housing.
The housing complex will be located across the street from the Penticton Fire Department headquarters downtown.
A construction foreman was on site Friday morning as well as an excavator operator. The foreman said soil was being dug up in the location where elevator shafts and huge footings for the five-storey building will be located.
This announcement comes on the heels of other BC Housing initiatives that have been announced in Penticton, including a new 52-unit modular home complex that will begin construction soon on Green Avenue.
“This strong partnership will ensure that people in Penticton have access to more housing options that are safe, secure and affordable for the long-term,” said Robert Brown, President of Catalyst. “This housing will provide long-lasting benefits for the City of Penticton and the individuals and families that call this community home.”
OneSky is a Penticton based not-for-profit agency connecting individuals, families and community groups with support resources to live life with dignity and ease.
Catalyst Community Developments Society is a non-profit society experienced in developing vibrant, high quality affordable rental homes. The non-profits, together with BC Housing, will own and operate thecompleted building.
“This building will add much needed affordable housing to our community in an exceptional location,” said Tanya Behardien, Executive Director of OneSky. “Many citizens will now have the opportunity to call the downtown area home and benefit from proximity to the many amenities the area has to offer.”
The downtown development will include homes ranging from studios to three- bedrooms. Construction of the project is expected to complete in the summer of 2019.
Those interested in living in one of these homes can add their names to a list by contacting Catalyst Community Developments Society at [email protected] or 250-320-9321.
