Affordable housing is a challenge faced by communities across British Columbia — and Creston is no exception.
“Access to housing is essential for a thriving community," said Mayor Arnold DeBoon. "While local government isn’t directly responsible for housing, we’ve stepped up because we know how deeply this issue is affecting our residents."
Formed in 2022, the Affordable Housing Development and Advisory Committee (AHDC) plays a key role in reviewing housing-related policies and plans before they reach council, offering advice informed by the diverse expertise of its members. The committee also collaborates with local organizations, developers, and other partners to explore new strategies for increasing affordable housing in the community—work that led to the creation of the Housing Action Plan in 2023.
In another step towards creating solutions for affordable housing, most recently, the town established the Creston Valley Housing Corporation (CVHC) after public engagement and approval from the Inspector of Municipalities. The CVHC's mandate is to "facilitate a supply of suitable, attainable, and sustainable rental and ownership units in the Town of Creston that are accessible to a larger portion of the population, in a financially prudent manner that supports economic development and workforce development."
The CVHC’s main goal is to directly deliver new housing units, while maintaining ownership of attainable rental properties and facilitating the sale of price-restricted homes. Some rental units will also be managed in partnership with third-party non-profit housing providers.
The CVHC is governed by a council appointed board of directors, comprised of seven independent directors with professional backgrounds in law, finance, real estate, and property management, as well as three members of council and one town staff member. Current board members include Karen Peck, Lawrence Fisher, Dina Bambrick, Penny Cavanagh, Anne Jackson, Daniel Cunningham, John Atkins, Denise Dumas, Arnold DeBoon, Monique Arès, and Steffan Klassen.
“I am honoured to chair this highly competent, diverse group of people who ask thought-provoking questions and who are a pleasure to work with,” said Councillor Denis Dumas, board chair. “We are hitting the ground running with our first project in sight. There are lots of decisions to be made and the CVHC board is up for the challenge. Even though housing is not under local government jurisdiction, town council recognizes the need for attainable housing and has gone over and above to be part of the solution by forming this corporation."
So far, the board has focused on its initial orientation, including legal and governance training and has approved a 2025 budget to begin its first projects.
