Work on an affordable housing project in Summerland will begin in January.

The 60-unit project, which will also house the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre, will be constructed at 13204 and 13214 Henry Ave., in the downtown.

91裸聊视频淭his project has been several years in the making, and we are so excited to finally see it come to fruition,91裸聊视频� said Randene Wejr, chief executive officer of Turning Points Collaborative Society. 91裸聊视频淔amilies, seniors, and individuals will benefit from the amazing downtown location, with access to services, shopping, schools and transportation.91裸聊视频�

Turning Points, a nonprofit organization, will own and operate the new building. The Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre will self-fund and occupy 388 square metres within the building.

The building will also contain 60 housing units. Of these, 30 per cent will be rented at market rate, 50 per cent will be rented geared to income and 20 per cent will be for those on fixed incomes.

Wejr said the facility will not be a shelter but will instead provide housing for those within the community.

Summerland91裸聊视频檚 2021 Housing Needs Assessment recognized a critical shortage of affordable housing. The study identified more than 400 households spending more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter costs.

Janet Peake of the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre said the facility is the result of many years of discussions.

David Jonsson, chair of the Summerland United Church board, said the church had spent around a decade working on the housing project.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e happy and proud that this project has become a reality,91裸聊视频� he said.

In the fall of 2024, the church moved from its location and is now sharing space with St. Stephen Anglican Church. 

Anne Ellis, minister at Summerland United Church, said the decision to give up its building for this project stems from the church91裸聊视频檚 mission statement, which speaks of sharing material and spiritual resources in order to lessen hunger, homelessness, and loneliness.

91裸聊视频淲e are living into the call of what God has asked us to be,91裸聊视频� she said.

Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said the new housing facility will address a council goal.

91裸聊视频淥ne of council91裸聊视频檚 priorities is to build an affordable community,91裸聊视频� he said. 

While Summerland has some affordable housing units, these have been age-restricted. The new project will be available for people of all ages.

He said the housing project has been difficult, as several organizations were working together on it.

91裸聊视频淚t hasn91裸聊视频檛 been easy going, but it has been the right thing,91裸聊视频� he said.

Ravi Kahlon, the province91裸聊视频檚 Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, said the project will help families within the community.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e proud to work across governments and with Turning Point Collaborative Society to build these 60 homes, which will go a long way in supporting local families, keeping them close to services they need,91裸聊视频� he said.

Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, and Minister Responsible for PacifiCan and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, said the facility will be important for the community.

91裸聊视频淭he peace of mind that comes with having a secure and stable home is invaluable,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淓veryone deserves a safe place to call home, and through the National Housing Strategy, we are committed to making that a reality for all Canadians.91裸聊视频�

The Summerland United Church building will be demolished in December, and construction of the new facility will begin in January.

During the construction, the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre is operating out of the Summerland Alliance Church building, 14820 Victoria Rd. N.