Funding for Pleasantvale 2
Photo: Society of Hope
Kelowna’s Society of Hope will have a chance to finish what began with it.
Five years after the ribbon was severed in the first phase of the Pleasantvale residential project in the north of town, the nonprofit learned on Friday that it had been selected for phase 2 construction.
It was part of a major announcement from BC Housing that it pledged to build 2,400 affordable rental homes across the province.
Luke Stack, Executive Director of the Society of Hope, says the project almost mirrors the first phase.
“There will be 48 senior housing units and 27 new family townhouses – half will have three bedrooms and the other two bedrooms,” says Stack.
“It was a dilapidated property with 50 residential units that will ultimately have 150 residential units.
Stack says the provinces are funded through the Community Housing Fund.
“BC Housing finances it, we accompany the planning and construction with your help.
“We’re basically funding the buildings and BC Housing is hiring the land. The city is closing an alley and hiring a lot.”
Stack says the Rotary Club is also coming to the table to build a senior garden like the first time. The Rotary club built the original Pleasantvale project in the late 1950s.
The Society of Hope has yet to go through the zoning and development permit process.
Once this is complete, Stack hopes construction of the second phase can begin in the spring of 2022.
BC Housing also approved a project that, in partnership with Okanagan Métis and the Aboriginal Housing Society at Kneller Road, will include 45 homes for individuals, couples, families and students.
