The provincial government had a taste of Ambrosia, and now it is coming back for a second bite with funding for more affordable housing in Keremeos.
The Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon and Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell announced on March 22, that BC Housing was moving forward with the second phase of the Ambrosia housing development in Keremeos.
The new four-storey 24-unit project will once again be run by the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society when it is completed, with funding provided by the province for the construction.
The minister directly pointed to the LSCSS and their work as part of the reason for the continued support from the province for housing in the community.
“With the vision of the team and the work they’ve been doing, to have another building next door is huge. For a community of that size, it’s punching well above its weight,” said Kahlon. “So, I’m pleased to have another building go right next to it.
“They’ve got a community garden right next to it that feeds a lot of folks in the community, and that’s a sign of a vibrant, healthy community.”
READ MORE: Keremeos affordable housing project takes second bite at the apple
The LSCSS had already begun preparing for the project shortly after finishing the first phase, and in 203 had already gotten their geotechnical and environmental assessments lined up, and reached out to the Lower Similkameen Indian Band to cover the archeological assessment of the site where the building is set to go.
The team that built the original Ambrosia was as of 2023 standing by to begin work on the second phase once funding was secured, which was a boon the LSCSS pointed to as it meant work could be done by a company familiar with the community.
Ambrosia was one of more than a dozen projects and over 500 new units of housing in the Interior that were announced by the government on March 22.
“Rural communities across the nation are feeling the pressure from this housing crisis, and so 580 more affordable homes in B.C. will be a huge positive for so many people and so many communities,” said Russell. “This life-changing action for British Columbians wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated support and community leadership of the partners in these communities, so I’m grateful for what they do for so many.”
Other projects include 29 homes for women in Princeton in partnership with the Princeton and District Community Services Society and 36 homes for families and people in the workforce in Okanagan Falls, in partnership with South Skaha Housing Society.