The Revelstoke Community Housing Society is set to develop a major new housing project on a 1.20-hectare (2.98-acre) vacant field at 420 Downie Street, previously a school playing field. This project will consist of three buildings with 164 rental units and a childcare facility, expected to start completing by 2027. It represents the first initiative under B.C.’s redevelopment program, which repurposes provincially owned properties for new housing.
B.C. Housing acquired the lot from the Ministry of Education and is partnering with the Revelstoke Community Housing Society for the project’s management. Taha Attiah, the housing society’s manager, expressed enthusiasm for the development, highlighting its significance for Revelstoke, which is facing a severe housing shortage exacerbated by its booming ski resort industry. Local demand for housing is critical, impacting various sectors including municipal services, the RCMP, the school district, and health services. Revelstoke is struggling to recruit and retain staff due to this shortage. City manager Evan Parliament underscored the urgency of the project, noting that the local community’s success is tied to the success of the housing society.
The project has received over $200,000 in city funding, with additional support including expedited permits and letters of endorsement. Funding for construction primarily comes from a provincial grant, with additional costs covered by rental income. The units will be non-market, ensuring stable rental costs despite rising property values. The first phase of the development is expected to be reviewed by city council on July 9. With the new complex, the Revelstoke Community Housing Society will nearly triple its management capacity, moving from 32 to almost 200 non-market rental units.
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