In March 2008, Kelowna City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Province of B.C. and the City to expedite the approval of up to 128 new supportive housing units on three city-owned sites.

Kelowna Memorandum of Understanding

On March 19, 2008, the Province and the City of Kelowna signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expedite the municipal approval process for up to 140 new supportive housing units on three city-owned sites. Read the news release.

The Province will pay all costs to design the housing through to the issuance of development and building permits, including consultant fees and disbursements for the three sites. The Province will also arrange all capital and operating funding. Non-profit operators are in place for all three developments.

The City of Kelowna will lease the three sites to the successful proponents for a period of 60 years. The non-profit operators will be charged a nominal fee for rent, and each development will exempt from property taxes as long as they provide housing and support services for people who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness. The City will make land available for redevelopment and will designate a staff member to ensure the municipal approval process is expedited.

The provincial contribution to pay for the pre-development costs is part of a $41 million commitment to help break the cycle of homelessness that was announced on October 12, 2007. It built on the provincial housing strategy , Housing Matters BC , which was announced in October 2006.

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