West Kelowna approves $1.2M affordable housing grant program

West Kelowna has approved $1.2 million in grants to help build below-market housing.

A staff report recommended $1 million for construction-ready projects and $200,000 for early development costs, using federal Housing Accelerator Fund money.

Non-profits, co-operatives and other eligible providers could receive up to $50,000 for planning, engineering and other pre-development work.

Council passed a motion to restrict funding for projects in the Westbank Urban Centre and Boucherie Urban Centre.

Larger projects could receive up to $350,000 to help offset costs such as development charges and permit fees. Units would need to be rented at least 10 or 20 per cent below Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. average market rents, depending on the program.

Applications will open Sept. 28 and remain open until Dec. 17, 2027, or until the funding runs out.

The city says the program is designed to reduce financial barriers and encourage more affordable housing construction.

Projects receiving funding would have to meet key development milestones, including securing building permits by June 30, 2028.