Premier makes official the opening of low-income housing in Kelowna’s North End

KELOWNA – The new Pleasantvale homes have been occupied for awhile now but that didn’t stop Premier Christy Clark and a gaggle of politicians from making it offiicial at a ceremony in Kelowna’s North End.

Clark pointed out the 70-unit development was made possible through the assisstance of B.C. Housing which took on ownership of the old Pleasantvale Homes in 2011 from the Rotary Club of Kelowna.

The service club developed the original site in the mid-1950s, already seeing the need for affordable housing for low-income seniors.

The bungalow-style apartments were a fixture in the North End for over 60 years until a couple of years ago when half the site was cleared to make way for the new units.

Tenants of the original 50 units were offered first refusal on renting an apartment in the new complex which is operated under agreement with the Society of Hope.

B.C. Housing owns the other half of the site and plans to sell of the land for market condominiums to recoup its investment in the new Pleasantvale complex.

Rent for the 50 seniors units is $667 for a one-bedroom while the two- and three-bedroom family units rent for $990 and $1,100 respectively.

City councillor Luke Stack, who is also executive director of the Society of Hope, has suggested B.C. Housing instead keep the site for more affordable housing.

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