Life Cycle Housing Society’s Cranberry Place housing development is nearly full, providing 24 affordable and up-to-date rental residences, replacing eight aging cottages that were previously located at the site.
At an opening ceremony, Vicki Sanzalone, acting vice-president of the society, which operates the new facility, said what is featured is a totally new space that offers clean, affordable housing for 24 families.
“It’s been a long journey and it has taken several years,” said Sanzalone. “We are very happy. We had eight little houses here and the Moose Lodge very generously sold them to us cheaply, but we recognized we could accommodate way more people.”
Sanzalone gave credit to former Life Cycle president and current treasurer Frances Ladret for her determination, patience and diligence.
“She worked tirelessly on behalf of the entire board, over numerous problems, the least being COVID-19,” said Sanzalone. “She was there for us constantly and we have a lot of gratitude.”
Sanzalone said residents of Cranberry Place are expressing that they are happy and feel safe.
“What’s wonderful about these places is that they are not only affordable, but they are economical, so we are really pleased,” she added.
Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons said by investing in buildings like Cranberry Place, families struggling today are being helped.
“Life Cycle has gone through some challenging issues in building this beautiful, big property," said Simons. "There are 24 families that get to live in a safe and healthy place. Organizations like Life Cycle are key to the cohesion of our communities.”
Ladret said the application for the community housing fund to build the complex was submitted in 2018. She said there were various delays along the way, such as a crown lot being located in the middle of the eight lots that the society owned. Ladret said BC Housing stepped in and acquired the lot from the province. Then came COVID-19.
“There were labour shortages and it was especially hard to get tradespersons,” said Ladret. “It was a time when all the local contractors were busy.”
Ladret said Life Cycle Housing is pleased with the completed complex. She said the occupants are a good group of people and she believes it will become a nice community.
She said that in building Cranberry Place, there was a great deal of cooperation from Tla’amin Nation, City of Powell River and BC Housing, which has been “incredibly generous, with administrative support and financial support.”
According to a provincial government media release, minister of housing Ravi Kahlon said the government knows it needs to help deliver the homes people need in Powell River, and that is why it is taking action to build affordable rental housing across British Columbia, in both urban and rural communities.
“The opening of Cranberry Place is another milestone in our work to provide the homes low- and moderate-income families need, with much more to come,” stated Kahlon. “We’re supporting vibrant and diverse communities by providing housing for a range of people at rents they can afford.”
Powell River mayor Ron Woznow said he had an opportunity to thank premier David Eby and Kahlon at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention for making affordable housing a priority for the BC government.
“The excellent collaboration of Life Cycle Housing Society and BC Housing is a great example of how we can address the need for affordable housing in Powell River,” said Woznow. “We look forward to more projects like this coming on stream in the next three years.”
Located at 6647 Cranberry Street, the building has a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes within two townhouse buildings and two apartment blocks. All residents have access to on-site laundry, a multipurpose community space with washroom facilities and a kitchenette, as well as an outdoor play area for children.
All previous tenants of the eight cottages who were on the Cranberry Place site received relocation support from BC Housing into alternative local affordable housing prior to the start of construction and have been offered the opportunity to move into these new homes.
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