Housing Society looking to build development in McBride
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The McBride and District Housing Society is preparing to submit an application for funding from BC Housing to build a new housing development at 210 Horseshoe Lake Road geared towards seniors, people with disabilities and families. The Society currently has an agreement-in-principle with the Village to receive five acres of land on the property to build the development.
The development will have 32 units total, with 10 one-bedroom units, eight two-bedroom units and 14 three-bedroom units, said chair Jackie Edwards. A third of the units will be market-rate, and the remaining units will be based on income according to formulas provided by BC Housing.
The Society was formed in 2019 to address a lack of affordable rentals, Edwards said – even now, there are no rentals available in McBride, according to her. This is especially a problem for seniors who want to move closer to downtown McBride, she added.
“There are a lot of people in the outlying areas – myself and my husband included – who may not be able to look after the house, may need to be closer to amenities, et cetera,” Edwards said. “We don’t want to leave the area because this is our community, so we’d rather have something affordable, viable [and] nice-looking for those who live outside and want to come in.”
To get a better idea of what housing needs McBride and area residents had, the Society circulated a survey for people living from Dunster up to Dome Creek. While the survey results have not been tabulated yet, it is clear that there is a need for more affordable rentals for seniors and families, Edwards said.
The survey will also be used in the Society’s application for funding from BC Housing, she said. While the Village produced a Housing Needs Report for the Province in 2019 and 2024, the Society’s survey will help demonstrate that people currently living outside the village limits also need access to housing in McBride, according to Edwards.
During the most recent Council meeting on March 25th, Edwards made a delegation to Council outlining the proposed development and requesting a letter of support for the Society’s application to BC Housing.
“They’re willing to write a letter of support and they were talking about ways they might be able to help, either as individuals or for the councillors to have the Village help,” Edwards said. “They’re definitely in favor of supporting us.”
