CBT Clarifies $10 million Housing Initiative

The next phase of the $10 million Affordable Housing Initiative has been rolled out by the Columbia Basin Trust.

The Trust has opened what they're calling "requests for pre-qualification" to communities, co-ops and non-profits who want to access some of the big money for the new-build projects. The deadline to apply is the end of May.

CEO and President Neil Muth says they want to make sure all applicants are treated fairly even if they are not as shovel-ready with proposals as other groups. So qualifying groups can put in an initial submission that does have to be fully developed. Muth says funding is also available to help groups put together their affordable housing proposal.

The $10 million the next 3 years is for "new" buildings or reno's to buildings for the purposes of making new affordable housing. The funds are not for repair or revitalization of existing units.

Details are on the Trust's or BC Housing websites. www.cbt.org