Work is about to begin in earnest on an affordable housing project at 903 Hume Street in Slocan.
Slocan Valley Housing Society chair Sally Mackenzie says Monday’s groundbreaking isn’t ceremonial, but rather the actual start on the project by North Mountain Construction.
She said they would have liked to have begun a few months ago, but because of the mild weather, they are still able to proceed now.
The 10-unit project will consist of two townhome-like buildings for a mix of seniors and families, with one, two, and three-bedroom units. Rents will be set at three different levels: one for those on social assistance or with limited income; a second geared to income; and a third with low-end market rates.
Construction is expected to be completed in March 2027.
Mackenzie said the project’s seeds date to a housing needs study conducted for the Village of Slocan in 2019. While plans proceeded in 2020, they were slowed by the pandemic. Mackenzie said her society was “watching from the sidelines” at that point, and the project was put on hold while the village worked on a new official community plan. As part of that process, the location for the housing project shifted to the site of the recently-demolished curling rink.
“That worked better with the community, and so it got reactivated,” Mackenzie says. In 2023 things got rolling again and the housing society became formally involved, signing a lease with the village for the property.
The society previously worked with the village on the Slocan Valley Suites seniors housing project, completed in 2018, which has three fourplexes with a total of 12 units.
“The village was so supportive and it’s been the same kind of experience this time,” Mackenzie said. “They’re so helpful and agreeable. They want affordable housing in Slocan and our society is delighted to work with them and make it happen.”
Funding for the project will come from BC Housing.
