Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society and the City of Rossland Midtown Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Capital Project

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - SAH
Sector Energy
Project value$17,587,900
Project Type Capital Project
Sub Sector Building – New – Energy efficiency
Grant amount$1,595,540
Program type GMF
Municipality City of Rossland, BC
Loan amount$1,595,540
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 4,140
Project timeline 2021 - 2024
Project number 17619

Description

To address a lack of workforce housing for moderate income working individuals and families in the City of Rossland, the Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society (LCAHS, est. 2013) will build an additional 37 units in partnership with the city. LCAHS, a non-for-profit provider that owns and operates 19 affordable housing in the Kootenay Boundary region, will add these units above the municipality’s City Hall, the latter of which will occupy the first floor of the new build. The building will target BC Building Code Step 4, and has the potential to be Net-Zero Energy Ready (NZER). To achieve this environmental standard, the building will use efficient mechanical and electrical systems, a highly insulated building envelope, high-efficiency windows, and LED lighting. At a later date, and once LCAHS receives provincial approval, LCAHS will conduct further study to determine the feasibility of an additional solar array to bring the project to Net-Zero.
 
Innovative aspect(s)
·  Municipal partnership that places affordable housing directly adjacent to municipal services (City Hall) is an innovative approach to public/private partnerships and community densification
· The project will be the first Net-Zero Energy Ready building in LCAHS’ portfolio
 
Replicability
· Municipal partnership for affordable housing projects offers advantages such as reduced red tape and cost-sharing
 
Affordability
· With the location of the project and the small size of the community, project costs are higher as compared to comparative projects in more accessible and populated centers. However, the participation of the municipality in the project will help mitigate the risks associated with these higher costs.
· 30% of the building’s units are affordable, and the remaining 70% are targeted for gross annual incomes between $40,000-60,000, in accordance with BC Housing requirements
(Project description from original funding application)

Applicant

Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society, BC