Kamloops considering creating its own housing non-profit

The City of Kamloops is considering creating its own non-profit dedicated to affordable housing, but with a catch for builders.

The Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation would lease its land, removing it from the traditional real estate market, according to a staff report.

"Its purpose will be to provide and preserve housing opportunities for those with low to moderate incomes, including seniors," the report reads.

City council will consider whether to incorporate the foundation as a non-profit at a meeting today, which would give the City more options to get involved in local housing.

Staff project the non-profit could lead to building permits for 95 new below-market homes within its first year.

According to the report, the non-profit can lease City-owned land for housing or partner with other institutions that don't normally build housing.

These can include health authorities, school districts, First Nations and faith-based organizations. Any agreement to use their land for housing may include a mutually beneficial project.

Once created, the City-owned organization could manage its own housing or contract the task to another organization.

It's expected to be self-sufficient over time, kickstarted by grant funding rather than through municipal taxes.

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The City used a $95,000 grant to create a "roadmap" for local governments to create similar non-profits and another $208,000 grant to launch its own community land trust, according to the report. That process started in 2019 and the "roadmap" report was completed last November.

Although the City has been working on its own to develop more affordable housing, the province recently put Kamloops in its sights as one of ten cities that need to get more builds started. 

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“We’re hoping Kamloops participates and ensures that the right amount of housing is being built,” BC's Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said last month.

His ministry gave the ten cities six months to show progress or the province will step in.

"(T)he legislation makes it clear than any community that decides not to, or is unable to do so, we will have the ability to put an independent person in to either help remove barriers or help identify potential solutions," he said. “I characterize it as a list of communities that need more housing and more affordable housing in their communities. If a community decides not to participate, they will go on a naughty list. Right now, this is a list of communities that need to focus on building a whole array of housing.”

It's not clear whether the City has land already slated to be leased for affordable housing under the non-profit.

In a relatively recent foray into residential real estate, the City purchased the Northbridge Hotel along Tranquille Road.

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The ageing building is set to be torn down, with demolition work well underway.

In the fall of 2021, former mayor Ken Christian said the City planned to sell the property for market housing, with a separate portion of the land deal earmarked for a BC Housing seniors housing project.

City staff is recommending council approve the non-profit "as there is no end in sight for the housing crisis," suggesting the organization is an effective tool to build more supply.

Council is set to vote on whether to incorporate the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation at a meeting today, which council and City staff would lead once created.

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