The affordable housing complex in Vernon, B.C. faced possible eviction of its tenants when it was put up for sale. However, thanks to B.C.’s Rental Protection Fund, the 26 affordable units were saved. The $500 million fund provides one-time capital grants to non-profit housing organizations to purchase affordable housing buildings that are up for sale. In the case of Sunrise Gardens, $3.1 million came from the fund and the rest was provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CKHA) in Vernon, which will now own and operate the building while keeping rents affordable. This has brought a sense of relief to the tenants, knowing that their homes are secure.
The executive director of CMHA Vernon, Julia Payson, explained that avoiding displacement of tenants is personal to her as she and her family experienced rental insecurity in the past. She recalled the stress of constantly moving due to homes being up for sale or issues with landlords. The Rental Protection Fund program highlights the loss of nearly 100,000 units renting below $1,000 per month in B.C. between 2016 and 2021. It also emphasizes the importance of building new affordable rental homes to keep pace with the demand, as many existing units are lost to investors, conversions, demolition, and rent increases.
The provincial government in B.C. is calling on its federal counterparts to provide support for the Rental Protection Fund program. Housing minister Ravi Kahlon mentioned that the federal government has more financial resources than the provincial government and with their help, more can be done to address the affordable housing crisis in communities. In addition to keeping their affordable homes, residents of Sunrise Gardens will also benefit from a renewal grant of $47,000 earmarked for each home for upgrades. The building has a 20-year plan in place for improvements, including exterior work, interior renovations, and upgrades to heating and ventilation systems.
The future looks brighter for tenants like Sean Rhodenizer, who expressed happiness and relief knowing that improvements will be made to their building. With the support of the Rental Protection Fund and the commitment of organizations like CMHA Vernon, affordable housing complexes are being preserved, ensuring that residents can continue to live in secure and affordable homes. The collaborative efforts between government, non-profit organizations, and community members are essential in addressing the housing crisis and providing stability for those in need. With ongoing support and funding, more affordable housing units can be saved and improved for the benefit of current and future residents in British Columbia.
