With the help of an anonymous donor, a new affordable housing project in Vernon is coming to fruition.
The Okanagan Village Housing Society announced plans for the project called A Place to Call Home, which will provide much-needed homes for local
families, seniors, and individuals facing housing challenges.
Located at 6545 Okanagan Landing Road, the housing was made possible thanks to a generous contribution from a donor, whose commitment to supporting the community has enabled the society to move forward with this important initiative by purchasing the land.
“We are incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor for their remarkable generosity,” said Margaret Penner, president of the Okanagan Village Housing Society. “Their support has been instrumental in allowing us to purchase the land where we can create a much-needed housing project, which will provide stability and opportunity for those in our community. This development is a vital step toward tackling the ongoing housing crisis in the Okanagan region.”
Cindy Masters, executive director at the society, explained that a day doesn't go by without "hearing story after story of people who are desperately looking for housing."
“Thanks to preliminary developmental funding, the multifamily project is planned to consist of 96
units of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom suites and is currently in the re-zoning and OCP process with the City of Vernon,” Masters added.
The donor purchased the two-acre plot on Okanagan Landing Road after discussions with Masters for "an astounding one million dollars."
The selfless act will create a ripple effect, offering hope and stability to many others in the Vernon community," Masters said.
"The society now stands poised to leverage other generous donors and various levels of government to build more housing, fulfilling their mission of creating comfortable, safe homes for low to moderate income workers, families, pensioners, and people with diverse abilities who are in need of help along their way to becoming or remaining long-term contributing citizens."