Searching for wordsmith

A recently announced donation that will help bring affordable housing to Vernon was sparked through one letter to the editor, says Cindy Masters with the Okanagan Village Housing Society (OKVHS).

On Sept. 27 OKVHS announced an anonymous donor had gifted them $1 million after reading a letter to the editor where a woman on the brink of homelessness due to the skyrocketing costs of housing in the community mused, "if only a millionaire reading this would help."

Now OKVHS wants to track the woman down.

“We're looking for that woman who wrote that letter to the editor, who spearheaded the gift from this donor,” said Masters.

“It would just be really cool if we could hear from her and although [the donor] is remaining anonymous, he feels like he'd like to meet her.”

Thanks to the donor, OKVHS has announced plans for an affordable housing project at 6545 Okanagan Landing Road called A Place to Call Home.

The project will provide homes for local families, seniors and individuals facing housing challenges.

The $1 million donation allowed OKVHS to purchase the land to move forward with this initiative.

Masters said everyday OKVHS staff hear stories of resident’s perpetual struggle to find affordable housing in Vernon.

“Thanks to preliminary developmental funding, the multifamily project is planned to consist of 96 units of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom suites and is currently in the re-zoning and OCP process with the City of Vernon,” said Masters.

Many areas in the Okanagan are facing critical housing shortages, including Vernon.

“This development is a vital step toward tackling the ongoing housing crisis in the Okanagan region,” said Margaret Penner, OKVHS president.

Joining the fundraising campaign with a five-year donation commitment is Okanagan Restoration Services Ltd.