The 100 Mile House Senior Housing Society announced at its annual general meeting that a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Attainable Housing Development Society (AHDS) to build a 32-unit seniors housing project.
Bill Miller, CEO of the development company will be submitting an application seeking $250,000 in funding from B.C. Housing. A second application will be made to CMHA in the new year.
“Once we get funds they will be used to do all the legalities the surveying, the this, the that, what needs to be done,” said Donna Barnett, president of the Seniors Society. “Also it will include architectural design and tender packages.”
Once the seed funding is received, Miller will either become the project manager or he will recommend someone for the position. The estimated cost for the project is $12 million.
“So, this is where we are at,” said Barnett. “We’re not as far as we thought we’d be but we are moving ahead.”
The proposed facility has been in the works since around 2020 after a B.C. company approached the 100 Mile Lions Club about building a seniors’ centre in 100 Mile House.
Unfortunately, in early 2023 the Seniors Society attended council with the news that plans were in limbo after the construction company stopped communicating with the society and asked for help.
Since then, Barnett said the district had been very helpful in giving them Roy Scott, the past administrator, as their liaison.
“Roy has done an amazing amount of work. He went to one housing seminar in Vancouver funded by the district, his salary is paid by the district,” said Barnett.
Scott put the society in touch with Miller who came to 100 Mile and walked the site with Barnett. Based on their two meetings, she said the future of the project looks very promising.
“He (Miller) has been in this business for 40 years, in the housing development both in the private - in the public sector - and the non-profit,” said Barnett.
Barnett said even if they do not receive the funding this go round, there are two to three intakes every year. She also pointed out that there are federal and provincial elections coming up and they need to keep the pressure on.
