Affordable Housing Initiative
Housing is essential for healthy and resilient communities. The Trust supports Basin communities by partnering to create, maintain and improve affordable housing that meets local needs.
Through the Affordable Housing Initiative, we consider support on a case-by-case basis to local governments, non-profit housing societies and First Nations partners for affordable housing projects, subject to available resources and other funding opportunities. Additionally, we support energy-efficiency upgrades and renewable energy generation for existing affordable housing through the Energy Retrofit and Recharge program.
The Trust directly develops small, modest multi-unit residential projects to help increase affordable housing supply where projects may not otherwise proceed. In these cases, the Trust acquires or partners on land, oversees project development through construction, and transitions completed projects to a non-profit housing operator.
The Trust also offers support through the First Nations Housing Sustainability Initiative.
Since 2015 the Trust has:
- Supported the creation of over 1,100 units of affordable housing
- Helped improve the energy efficiency of over 1,600 units of affordable rental housing
- Contributed over $70 million to create and retain affordable housing in the Basin
Recent Projects
We are involved in housing projects across the Columbia Basin.
- Visit our newsroom to see recent Affordable Housing Initiative Program announcements and projects here.
- Read Basin Stories featuring Trust-supported housing projects here.
Explore a few recently supported projects below:
Livability and Emergency Readiness Projects
- Installed back-up power systems at 12 affordable rental housing buildings and nine seniors’ affordable rental housing buildings in rural and remote areas prone to power outages.
- Supported 31 affordable rental housing buildings and 33 seniors’ affordable rental housing buildings with upgrades that will enhance livability and encourage gathering for residents.
Castlegar
- Kootenay Society for Community Living created 13 new affordable rental homes at Eagle Estates.
- Habitat for Humanity built four affordable family homes.
Cranbrook
- Aqanttanam Housing Society built 39 new affordable rental homes at the Chief Agnes McCoy Centre.
Creston
- Kootenay Region Association for Community Living renovated the Cedar Linden Building at Spectrum farms to create nine affordable rental homes.
Invermere
- Family Dynamix Association completed 30 affordable rental homes at the Invermere Farmhouse.
Kaslo
- Kaslo Housing Society completed 10 new affordable homes at Penny Lane Apartments, incorporating energy-efficient features, rooftop solar and fibre optic connectivity.
Kimberley
- Kimberley Seniors Project Society created 12 affordable rental homes at Pioneer Lodge.
Nakusp
- The Trust is developing six affordable housing units at 915 Highway 23 N.
- Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services built 10 affordable housing units at Arrow Heights.
Nelson
- Nelson CARES Society created 47 affordable housing units at Lakeside Place.
New Denver
- New Denver and Area Housing Society completed 10 new affordable rental homes at the Osprey, incorporating energy-efficient features, rooftop solar and fibre optic connectivity.
Revelstoke
- Revelstoke Community Housing Society built 24 new affordable rental homes at 297 Humbert Street.
Rossland
- Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society completed 37 new affordable rental homes at Rossland Yards.
Slocan
- Slocan Valley Seniors’ Housing Society built 12 affordable rental homes at Slocan City Suites.
Sparwood
- Elk Valley Family Society created 30 new affordable rental homes at Timbers Landing, incorporating energy-efficient features, rooftop solar and fibre optic connectivity.
Valemount
- Valemount Senior Citizens Housing Society completed 18 new affordable rental homes that are accessible, energy efficient and have fibre optic cable and rooftop renewable solar energy generation at 1101 Ash Street.
Resources
2025 Asset Management Webinar
- 2025 Affordable Housing Asset Management Webinar Presentation.
- Asset management tool to plan and budget for repairs and maintenance: Capital Planning Template.
2024 Columbia Basin Trust Affordable Housing and Funding Workshop Materials
- Presentations: BC Housing, Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Columbia Basin Trust and M’akola.
- Resources: Pre Development Guide, Society-Led Proposal Material, Sample Operating and Capital Budgets, Sample: Operations, EDIB and Reconciliation and CMHC Seed Viability Calculator.
BC Housing
- BC Builds – low-cost financing and grants to build middle-income homes on government, community and non-profit owned land.
- BC Housing Learning Centre
- Capital Planning & Repairs
BC Non-profit Housing Association
- Education, tools and conferences for non-profit societies that operate affordable housing including the following guides: Hiring and working with Development Consultants; A Path to Partnership.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
- Apartment Construction Loan Program – provides low cost loans for apartment construction projects.
- Affordable Housing Innovation Fund – Funding for housing providers for innovative housing projects.
Community Housing Transformation Centre (The Centre)
- The Centre provides grants, tools and services to support community housing stakeholders including the Green Kickstarter Fund and Sector Transformation Fund.
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
- Regional energy coaches: provide personalized guidance on project planning, funding strategies and energy efficiency education.
First Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council
- First Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council can provide research and planning as well as capital funding for First Nation Government’s housing projects.
Non-profit Advisors Program
- Non-profit Advisors Program has resources to help Basin non-profit organizations build organizational capacity and sustainability.
Final Report
Complete your final report here.
