43 New rental homes for Osoyoos

Press Release

Construction is underway for 43 new affordable rental homes on an on-reserve housing development in Osoyoos.

Located on Osoyoos Indian Band land at 4931 Cedar Lane, this five-storey apartment building will have a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes for seniors, individuals, families, and people living with disabilities. These homes will be open to all community members but will prioritize supporting Indigenous Peoples, including Indian Band members.

Wolf Creek Housing Society will own and operate the building which will be close to schools, parks, and services. It will have a mix of affordable options, including market rentals, rent-geared-to-income, and deep subsidy units. Construction is due to be completed summer, 2025.

Funding provided for this project is as follows:

• $1.6 million contribution of joint funding through the Canada – British Columbia Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
• The Province, through BC Housing, is providing approximately $5.3 million for the project through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund.
• The Province will also be providing approximately $550,000 in annual operating funding.

Quotes:

“The Government of Canada is pleased to have supported this important development in Osoyoos. We are committed to making communities stronger through projects such as these here in British Columbia and across Canada. Not only do these investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, they also help to provide access to secure and affordable homes for community members. This collaborative effort is helping to ensure that more individuals have a place they can call home.”

— The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South on behalf of The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“This project is part of our Homes for People action plan, creating affordable homes for more than 40 individuals and their families in Osoyoos. We’re taking action to deliver more housing, faster, so we can support communities throughout British Columbia”

— Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing

“Attainable housing in the communities we want to live in is important for all of us, and these 43 new units in Osoyoos will help provide that many more individuals and families with a place to call home. Partnerships like this help provide more affordable housing options to the community and ensure that people can continue to make a happy and healthy life in the beautiful South Okanagan”

— Roly Russell, MLA for Boundary – Similkameen

“The Osoyoos Indian Band in partnership with the BC government is proud to announce this housing project which will help with the ongoing housing crises in the South Okanagan.”