A large social housing project is being proposed in downtown Kamloops.

A developer is asking for a permit to build an apartment at the corner of 5th Avenue and St. Paul Street. Director of development services Marvin Kwiatkowski says the application is welcomed by city staff.

“Looking at a mixed-use building. Five storeys, 60 social housing units, and then there’s a ground level for office space… Given amenities that are nearby, it’s a decent location if you’re looking at where these housing units should be located,” Kwiatkowski says. “This is all part of providing housing opportunities for all spectrums of our society.”

The housing units would be for “low- to moderate-income families, seniors, and, potentially, their caregivers,” according to a report from city staff. There would be four studio apartment units, 39 one-bedroom units and 17 two-bedroom units. The site would also have 17 parking spaces, which meets the requirement in the city’s zoning bylaws for social housing, as well as 19 stalls for bicycles.

The property is owned by the city and is currently a non-paved parking lot. It would be leased to BC Housing and the building would be operated by the John Howard Society.

Kamloops city council will be asked to issue a development permit for the project at tomorrow’s council meeting.