Penticton motels bought for affordable housing

The provincial government is moving to provide more affordable housing in Penticton with the purchase of three motels, and upgrades planned for an existing building.

The province spent approximately $7.9 million to purchase the motels.

A proposed B.C. Housing redevelopment plan calls for 103 homes for people with low incomes in the community.

“The purchase of these motels will help ensure existing affordable housing in Penticton is maintained and improved so people can continue to live affordably and thrive in the community,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “We will continue to explore new and creative avenues like this one to help tackle the housing crisis and meet the needs of renters and homeowners across B.C.”

B.C. Housing plans to apply for rezoning to redevelop the motels and one provincially owned site into newer affordable housing for people with low incomes.

Details of the projects will be determined through consultation with the community.

All the properties are along Skaha Lake Road, including the Meadow Lark, Sun Valley and Mayfair motels and the Skaha Sunrise Apartments at 2872 Skaha Lake Road and 179 Green Ave. W.

The three motels are being used as below-market short-term rentals. BC Housing will take over all 57 tenancy rental agreements at the motels and will make some minor improvements to the buildings,

Current residents will not be affected by the renovations.

B.C. Housing already owns Skaha Sunrise Apartments, with 46 low-income rental housing units in four buildings. The buildings have been identified as a candidate for redevelopment due to their age and condition.

Getting the properties rezoned could be interesting given the current brawl between Penticton and Housing Minister David Eby.

City council and the province are currently embroiled in a dispute over the province’s use of paramountcy (defined as supreme power or authority), to keep a temporary homeless shelter open, after council voted not to extend a temporary use permit.

On April 20, 2021 following a community survey, council voted to take legal action against the province over the use of paramountcy and to close the shelter.

Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson brought a notice of motion at the Tuesday, May 26 council meeting to have the mayor write the province protesting the use of paramountcy. The motion didn’t mention the situation in Penticton, and ultimately failed to find support from the majority of council.