The community’s reaction to the three-story 43-unit affordable housing apartment building going up in Keremeos has been overwhelmingly positive.
That’s according to comments received at an open house for Ambrosia House held by the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society on July 9.
“The overall sense was very supportive,” said Sarah Martin, executive director with the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society. “I think almost all the comments were positive.”
READ MORE: Premier releases details on Keremeos affordable housing project
A concern people did have, she said, was whether housing would have to be offered to people from outside Keremeos because it is partially funded by the province.
“Keremeos is the first priority. I think that reassures people because they think we are going to be obliged to house people from all over the place,” she said. “People see what we do here and know most of our housing is for seniors.”
A common sentiment in the comments was how disheartening it is to see that the waitlist is so much bigger than what will be available once built, she said. Currently, there are 80 seniors on the waitlist for affordable housing in the village.
Martin said there weren’t a lot of young people attending the information session and the society has not seen a rush of family applications.
She said some residents did express concern about provincial tax dollars being put toward building a commercial space in the building, which the society would use once it’s built. However, Martin explained that a grant of $4 million from the province is being used for the residential space alone. She said the so-called “commercial space” is not commercial because the society is planning to use it. Its construction is being financed by the society and donations.
To build that space, Martin said the society is hoping to raise $300,000.
“We’ve already purchased the land but we use donations funds so far to cover half the purchase price. The building is a $12-million budget. The grant funds are $4 million. The other $8 million has to be financed through a mortgage and I have to make rents service that mortgage. If donations come in, I will have more affordable units,” Martin explained.
“We are approaching local businesses. We’ve already had some support from the society’s employee benefit plan providers. We have a commitment from the Similkameen pharmacy for a donation, we’re likely to receive donations from other area businesses and they are approaching individuals. And may decide to host local events going forward.”
Businesses are excited about what she called the “vitalization of the downtown core,” which Martin said she hopes to see grow.
“It’s exciting for everyone in a community where you see shops closing because people aren’t buying goods,” she said. “Service-based businesses, like groceries and pharmacies, I think, will benefit from our residents who purchase locally. This will be a cornerstone building in our downtown core because it is large on the landscape and I think that people feel that it will be a great asset to the community overall, socially and economically.”
In terms of the cost of the apartments, Martin said a percentage of the one-bedroom suites will be available for $375, depending on an occupants’ income. Other suites will be geared toward 30 percent of household income. Some one-bedroom suites will be rented at the market rate.
“Anything we get will be helpful for our own offices and for keeping the affordability of the units down because it is all being lumped into one big mortgage and the rest of the costs of building the residential units,” she said.
To report a typo, email: editor@keremeosreview.com.
<>@KeremeosReview
editor@keremeosreview.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.