The City of Revelstoke hopes to make local home ownership more attainable to its workforce and middle-class community, through a new affordable housing initiative with Community Futures Revelstoke and the Revelstoke Community Housing Society.
The city announced in a release Tuesday, Feb. 11, that it's provisioning land at 127 and 141 Basford Drive in Columbia Park to Community Futures, so that the non-profit agency can construct the first development of an affordable for-purchase housing program.
Units built here will remain price-restricted for purchase and resale, and buyers must meet criteria such as having either current local employment or an intention to retire in Revelstoke after several years of local employment. Full program and eligibility details will come out this spring, and the Revelstoke Community Housing Society will take things over once the units are completed.
The Revelstoke Workforce Affordable For-Purchase Housing Program, modelled on a similar initiative by the Whistler Housing Authority, aims to create "attainable home ownership opportunities for middle-income earners who currently have no viable pathway to owning a home in Revelstoke due to escalating real estate prices," the release reads.
Mayor Gary Sulz added that investing in the program can support economic growth, community resilience and sustainable urban development, while also balancing needs for housing, natural assets and community development.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœWith the support of residents, government agencies, local businesses, resort municipalities, and funding partners, we can make workforce home ownership a reality for those who contribute to the vitality of our community every day," said Community Futures general manager Kevin Dorrius, calling the program a "bold" and "necessary" step forward for Revelstoke.
Community Futures has more details at .
It will also be speaking about the program at the next Coffee Connections 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce, which costs $10 for non-members.
