Skip to content

Creston Valley housing society seeking input from community

In baseball parlance, the Creston Valley Community Housing Society is on third in its efforts to provide low-cost housing in this area...
88763crestoncommunity_housing_creston
The land south of Millennium Park will soon be used for low-rent housing.

In baseball parlance, the Creston Valley Community Housing Society is on third in its efforts to provide low-cost housing in this area.

It got to first base when the Town of Creston agreed to donate land adjacent to Millennium Park on a long-term lease basis.

Second base was reached with successful registry with the Canada Revenue Agency as a non-profit group with authority to issue tax-deductible receipts for donations it receives.

The society has been mired at third for more than two years in its efforts to begin providing the type of decent affordable housing that, according to professional surveys, the area so badly needs. During that time, with the help of a generous donation from the Creston Valley Gleaners Society, the housing society commissioned the needs and demand assessment necessary to approach potential partners for financial assistance for the project.

The assessment identified families — mainly single parents with children — who are now paying more than they can afford for highly unsuitable accommodation as Creston’s highest housing priority. Success in providing them safe, affordable housing will benefit the community at large by making it easier for low-income earners who provide needed services to make their home here.

Now the society has its hopes on a home run: Columbia Basin Trust and B.C. Housing’s approval of an application for a grant when bids for such assistance are again invited within the next few months. An important part of that application process will be demonstrating strong community support for and involvement in the project.

Demonstrating that the community will supplement the provincial grant with enough cash or other aid to make the project viable will allow Creston to realize the dream of making affordable family housing a reality.

There will be a public meeting on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce. Everyone, especially those living in the area of Millennium Park, is invited to come and learn more about the society’s activities and needs.

—CRESTON VALLEY COMMUNITY HOUSING SOCIETY