Affordable housing coming

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Some much-needed affordable housing will soon be available in Vernon.

Renovations are underway at the former Journey Inn Motel on 28th Avenue, according to Barb Levesque, executive director of the John Howard Society, and more people will be moving in over the next few months.

The motel was renamed Blair Apartments after Blair Peden, who has served on the JHS board locally for some 40 years.

There are currently eight tenants living in the 39-unit complex, but as the renovations are done more people move in.

Lavesque said renos include new carpet, paint, some plumbing and electrical work and a new rail which has to be installed on the upper level to bring the building up to code.

B.C. Housing owns the building and is taking care of the renovations, while JHS board finds the tenants.

Levesque said people have to fill out an application to live in the downtown complex and they must meet certain criteria.

“We have over 100 applications already,” said Levesque. “We are thrilled to have the property available. For some people, this will be their forever home. This is going to have a big impact.”

Levesque expects the bachelor units will rent for around $450 a month and that will include the cost for everything from cable to utilities to laundry.

“The building is in great shape. It is a clean, affordable place for people to live,” said Levesque.

The complex will have a communal feel to it as well.

For liability reasons, the pool is being removed and a community garden put in its place.

“That will be a green space for people,” said Levesque.

Because the units do not have kitchen facilities, the manager's suite is being converted into a communal kitchen that will serve the entire building. The kitchen will also be a gathering place for tenants where they can share dinner, celebrate seasonal events and hold other activities.

The individual units will have a 3/4 fridge and microwave.