The Provincial Government is fast tracking housing projects for Grand Forks that would see about 100 new homes, and now we know more.
A new Building BC: Community Housing Fund will see over 50 affordable rental homes built. BC Housing Interior Regional Director Ann Howard says affordable housing for families and seniors will be coming to a residential area near 19th Street and 68th Avenue.
Howard says that housing should be ready by next Winter. “Those units will be available to people who have low to moderate income and construction of that project will be completed by the winter, that’s what out goal is, for next winter.”
BC Housing already owns the land.
The City of Grand Forks also plans to help 89 households who lost homes to flooding, and need a place to live this winter. A mix of strategies are being pursued. Those include helping residents finish secondary suites, incentivizing laneway housing, and gathering information for solutions such as mobile, modular, and tiny homes.
Supportive Housing is planned for 2nd Street and would see up to 50 units supported with staffing.
BC Housing Interior Regional Director Ann Howard says it will house the homeless. “This will be their home, we will be working with them to be good neighbours, to learn some skills if they don’t have those already, and just support them in their journey through life. I think an important thing to note is they will also be provided with food services.”
Howard explains the importance of that location. “I think the most important thing is that it’s close to services, we know that it’s difficult for people that are homeless to drive, they don’t usually have cars, so it’s important that supportive housing is close to amenities and services.”
Additionally, transitional housing for women and children in need of shelter and trauma care is being constructed for this Winter.
For more information on supportive and affordable housing click here. For more information on housing for this Winter click here.