BC Housing buys another Kamloops motel

BC Housing has bought another Kamloops motel taking ownership of a building meant to give transitional housing to people coming out of homelessness.

Columbia Motor Inn has been used for subsidized housing since 2018, but the $2.5 million purchase means the province can pass ownership on to ASK Wellness Society, according to a news release issued today, July 10.

“With this purchase, we are making sure that more vulnerable people in Kamloops transitioning to permanent housing continue to have affordable options to rely on,” Housing Minister Ravi Khalon said in the release.

The motel at 575 Columbia Street West has 24 suites. Along with the $2.5 million purchase price, BC Housing plans to spend $2.7 million on renovations.

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BC Housing will fund the project, but ASK Wellness is set to take on ownership and operation of the building.

"We are extremely excited to continue operating and supporting these individuals who have been able to transition into a more independent component of our housing continuum," society CEO Bob Hughes said in the release. "We also look forward to renovations that will allow for the building to become a more inclusive, welcoming space for its residents and the community."

The motel purchase is one of a few the province picked up in Kamloops over the past few years, starting with the Fortune Motel in 2021 for $3.6 million.

The province announced in December it purchased the Lamplighter Motel for $4.8 million and it purchased the Clearview Manor apartment complex in April for $12.8 million.

An independent appraisal in March "supports" the $2.5 million purchase price for the Columbia Motor Inn, but the news release did not say what it was appraised for.

BC Assessment places a $1.1 million tax value on the property.

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