Enhancing Livability and Emergency Readiness in Affordable Housing
Affordable multi-unit rental homes like Catalpa Apartments in Creston will see upgrades to improve comfort, safety and accessibility.
Affordable rental housing around the Basin will soon benefit from upgrades that enhance livability and emergency preparedness. Partnering with non-profit housing societies and other organizations, Columbia Basin Trust is investing nearly $3.3 million to make multi-unit rental homes more welcoming, accessible, safe and resilient—benefitting seniors, families and individuals in 17 communities.
Upgrades include accessible appliances, new furniture for common areas, outdoor amenities like gazebos, barbeques and patio furniture, and equipment that encourages recreation and physical activity. These improvements support accessibility, inclusiveness and encourage social gatherings.
In communities prone to power outages, new back-up power systems will ensure that essential functions of heating, cooling, lighting and communication, remain available during emergencies.
“When we’re at home, we all want to feel comfortable and secure,” said Ulli Mueller, Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust. “These projects will help people feel supported and connected in their homes and communities, while back-up power systems will bring peace of mind by keeping essential services running during outages.”
The following projects illustrate how these upgrades are helping residents feel safer, more connected and better prepared for emergencies across the Basin. To see all livability improvement projects, click here. To see all emergency readiness projects, click here.
Operated by the Creston Trinity Housing Society, Catalpa Apartments features 19 units of affordable housing for people 55 years and older. A housing livability grant from the Trust will support the purchase of new appliances for a shared laundry room, improving accessibility for all residents.
“Many of the residents living at Catalpa Apartments are mobility challenged,” said James Gates, Operations Manager for for the Creston Valley Non-Profit Housing Collective. “The front-load washer and dryer purchased through this grant will provide them with easier access for their laundry needs.”
Tom Uphill Manor in Fernie includes 27 units as an independent living facility for seniors and people living with disabilities. Operated by the Fernie Family Housing Society, the Trust’s livability grant will help purchase outdoor exercise equipment, boosting opportunities for physical activity and social connection.
“The new outdoor equipment will provide many benefits, like better balance, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness, which can reduce the risk of falls,” said Sheila Sherburne, General Manager, Fernie Family Housing Society. “It will also support residents’ mental and social well-being by reducing stress and anxiety, combating loneliness and providing opportunities for community involvement.”
The Salmo Seniors Villa includes 24 suites and is operated by the Salmo Senior Citizens Housing Society. With support from the Trust’s Emergency Readiness program, the organization will add a 150kW back-up power system to ensure power is available to all suites in the event of an electrical outage.
“This new generator is a real benefit for us,” said Bonnie Cassar, Chair, Salmo Senior Citizens Housing Society. “It’s quite amazing that it will power all 24 units, as we had thought we would only be able to back up our meeting room in case of an emergency. This is so much better for our residents who have mobility issues—they can remain safely in their apartments.”
Juniper Square 1 and Juniper Square 2 provide a combined 21 homes for families, individuals and seniors in Valemount. Operated by the Valemount Affordable Rentals Society, both buildings will benefit from the addition of a 38-kW generator for Juniper Square 1 and an 80-kW generator for Juniper Square 2.
“In Valemount, we’re sometime prone to long power outages,” said Korie Marshall, Administrator, Valemount Affordable Rentals Society. “Having these back-up power systems will help everyone stay warm and ensure that our buildings don’t freeze up. The generators will help us maintain our properties, keep them sustainable for the Society and give peace of mind to the people who live here.
