BC Housing has paved the way for construction of the second phase of the Pleasantvale housing complex

Photo: Society of Hope

Kelowna's Society of Hope will get a chance to finish what it started.

Five years after the ribbon was cut on the first phase of the Pleasantvale housing project in the city's north end, the non-profit society learned Friday it had been selected to construct Phase 2.

It was part of a sweeping announcement by BC Housing, which committed to build 2,400 affordable rental homes across the province.

Society of Hope executive director Luke Stack says project almost mirrors the first phase.

"There will be 48 apartment units for seniors and 27 new family townhomes - half will be three bedroom and half two bedroom," says Stack.

"It was a dilapidated 50 unit site that, when all is said and done, will have 150 units of housing.

Stack says provincial funding comes through the Community Housing Fund.

"BC Housing finances it, we oversee the design and construction with their assistance.

"We basically finance the buildings and BC Housing puts the land in. The city is closing an alleyway and putting a piece of property in."

Stack says the Rotary Club are also coming to the table to construct a seniors garden like they did the first time around. The Rotary Club built the original Pleasantvale project in the late 1950s.

The Society of Hope still has to go through the zoning and development permit process.

Once that is complete, Stack hopes construction on the second phase can begin in the spring of 2022.

BC Housing also approved a project which will include 45 homes for individuals, couples, families and students, in partnership with Okanagan Métis and Aboriginal Housing Society on Kneller Road.