Accessible housing planned

The Canadian Mental Health Association hopes to get approvals necessary for a 49-unit independent living apartment on Brookside Avenue.

The association has formally applied to the city to rezone the property within the Capri-Landmark Urban Centre to the rental-only sub zone.

If approved, CMHA says it will build and operate the six-storey affordable housing apartment building.

“There is an immediate need to diversify housing options in Kelowna, an estimated 13,650 to 20,130 dwellings by 2031 to accommodate population growth,” the application states.

“This includes more housing for low to moderate income families, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees and individuals and families leaving transitional or supportive housing.

“To address these gaps in Kelowna’s housing supply, this project will provide 49 purpose-built rental units that range in size from studios to three-bedroom units.”

CMHA says accessible units will be prioritized for individuals with disabilities who live independently.

“Approximately five per cent of these units will be designed to meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities while the remaining will comply with BC Building Code adaptable unit requirements.

The project is funded through the BC Housing Community Housing Fund which will allow the CMHA to offer the units to people capable of living independently but need deeper levels of affordability.

The building will include parking for 23 vehicles as well as large private and public amenity spaces.

Various city departments will review the application before it goes to city council for discussion.