Penticton has found it's partner to start taking on the housing shortage it's own way.
The non-profit New Vista Society was selected to be the ones to deliver a 60-unit rental project at 971-999 Eckhardt Avenue West, the currently empty city owned lots next to where billet housing was originally planned to be built for the hockey academy.
The new development will provide additional housing for working people within Penticton’s North Gateway area, with 20-30 per cent of units rented at 20 per cent below market rates.
“Housing availability is an ongoing challenge throughout our community and it’s innovative projects like this that will help to boost our housing supply,” said Mayor Julius Bloomfield in a press release. “This project is aimed at attracting the skilled workers and professionals that we require to sustain our local economy – including the nurses, teachers, electricians and other skilled tradespeople.”
Council has signed an agreement to provide City-owned land on a 99-year lease for the project, and New Vista will work with the City to finalize that agreement and secure funding for the project through the Province’s BC Builds program.
“The New Vista Society is a non-profit charitable organization with more than 80 years of experience delivering affordable housing for communities" ,” said Darin Froese, CEO of New Vista Society. "Since 1943, the organization has worked in partnership with all levels of government to develop and manage a broad range of housing programs that respond to the evolving needs of the community
The goal is to begin construction in 2026, after any zoning or building permits are approved in 2025.
In order to qualify for the BC Build's middle-income program, rents will remain lower than market rates and residents will be income-tested.
This Eckhardt Avenue project is one of three endorsed by Council to provide affordable housing options for seniors, workers and youth, with the remaining two locations being on Ellis Street and Galt Avenue.
