A couple of communities in the Kamloops region are getting new provincial funding to create more housing for seniors.
Under the province’s Homes for People program, the Village of Ashcroft, through the Thompson View Manor Society, has been given the approval to build a 29 unit seniors facility to be attached to the existing seniors facility at the same location.
Ashcroft Mayor Barbara Roden, who says she cried tears of happiness upon hearing of the announcement, says this is a project which has been in the works the past three years.
“This has been identified as a need in Ashcroft for a very long time. The original Thompson View Manor facility that’s there was built in 1975. Assisted living was added to it in 2006. I know the Thompson View Manor Society, which is made up of 9 community people who work incredibly hard — they’re all volunteers — they’ve been working on this proposal for close to three years.”
Roden says the project is somewhat unique, as the plans include a number of 2 bedroom units.
“All the units that are currently at Thompson View Manner are one bedroom,” noted Roden. “People are saying they want two bedrooms, because they want to have that extra room for a craft room, for an office, for a spare bedroom for when the grandkids come to visit.”
Meanwhile, the Village of Chase has also been included in the province’s new announcement.
37 new homes for seniors and people with disabilities are going to be built in Chase through the Oncore Seniors Society.
The projects in Ashcroft and Chase are among 15 new facilities the province has approved funding for in the Southern Interior and Northern BC through its Community Housing Fund.
“Through our Homes for People action plan, we’re accelerating housing supply across the province to meet the diverse needs of people,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing as part of the announcement. “Whether you live in a big city or a remote coastal village, access to affordable and suitable housing is important in forming strong communities. That is why we are working in partnership to ensure homes are built for people in the communities they call home.”