New affordable rental homes opening in Kelowna

KELOWNA, BC, Nov. 15, 2018 /CNW/ - Low to moderate-income seniors and persons with disabilities in Kelowna now have access to a total of almost 200 new affordable rental homes. The governments of Canada, British Columbia, and the City of Kelowna are officially opening Apple Valley 2 and 3, the final phases in this comprehensive seniors' complex operated by National Society of HOPE. 

Apple Valley 3, located at 2075 Benvoulin Court Kelowna, just opened and welcomed 47 new households into one and two-bedroom units, as well as wheelchair accessible units. This third and final phase completes the seniors' complex, which includes the 78 homes opened as part of Apple Valley 2 in 2017, and the 72 homes under Apple Valley 1 in 2011. Together, these three buildings form a community of quality affordable seniors housing that offers a park like setting, recreation facilities, community gardens and a senior's support centre.

Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna?Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made the announcement today.

Quotes:

"Our Government remains committed to helping seniors in Kelowna-Lake Country and throughout the country. Projects like Apple Valley provide high quality, affordable housing to many seniors in the community while creating jobs and stimulating our economy. I'm thrilled that all of this hard work has paid off, and I'm certain Apple Valley will provide safe and secure housing for many generations to come. " ? Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna?Lake Country

"The Apple Valley seniors' complex is a great example of what we can achieve when governments, not-for-profits and communities work together with people at the heart of our decisions. Through partnerships such as these we will continue to work together to provide peace of mind to seniors and people living with disabilities with much-needed affordable housing right in their community." ? The Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

"Safe, affordable housing is a community-wide issue that directly impacts people's physical and social health, particularly those with low- to moderate incomes. Apple Valley supports seniors aging in place, ensuring access to services, and supporting social connections. I'm pleased to celebrate today the opening of Apple Valley Phase 3." ? Colin Basran, Mayor, City of Kelowna

"This grand opening is the culmination of the Apple Valley vision. Through a generous donation from the Ziglar family, this site was purchased in 2002. After years of hard work and dedication we now have 200 units of purpose-built senior's housing constructed around a beautiful recreation centre. My deep gratitude goes out to all of the Hope board members, staff and volunteers that brought this vision to life." ? Luke Stack, Executive Director, National Society of HOPE

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada, through CMHC, and the Government of British Columbia, through BC Housing, jointly contributed approximately $4.6 million toward Apple Valley 3 under the Canada-British Columbia Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement (Social Infrastructure Fund). The total capital budget for this project is $11.4 million.
• The Province is proud to partner with the National Society of HOPE, an experienced operator who is responsible for overseeing management of all three Apple Valley buildings.
• Budget 2018 launched the biggest investment in housing affordability in B.C. history?more than $7 billion over 10 years.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)?an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Read Homes for B.C., government's 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation