Photo: BC Gov't

Work on student housing announced Friday for Vernon's campus of Okanagan College is expected to begin this fall.

In a Friday afternoon Zoom availability, Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu said completion is slated for the summer of 2023.

A contractor has yet to chosen for the project.

Sandhu said she expects the $18-million, 100-bed project will have a positive impact on the local rental market, which has seen vacancy rates as low as one per cent.

"It should have a great impact for students who had to commute previously," she added.

The project will be built on the grounds of the campus, but an exact location on the campus overlooking Kalamalka Lake has yet to be revealed.

The Vernon project was one of three announced Friday, including others in Kelowna and Salmon Arm.

This will be the first time student housing will be available at the Vernon and Salmon Arm campuses.

The Vernon component of the $66.5-million announcement is worth $18 million.

In total, the three campuses will add 376 student beds.

"Students in Vernon and across the Okanagan will soon have affordable and sustainable housing close to school, so their focus can remain on their education and building a better life for themselves and their community," Sandhu said Friday morning as she announced the project.

There will be 216 beds in Kelowna, and 60 in Salmon Arm.