The focus is on attainable housing for middle income families
It might feel too good to be true, but the first step of home ownership is within reach for new homebuyers through the Project Build Society. Non repayable grants towards a down payment are available from the Project Build Society to ease the path to home ownership for buyers. The Project Build Society currently has programs available in two areas of the Central Okanagan.
The goal of the Project Build Society is to move people who qualify for a conventional mortgage into solid housing they can afford. The impetus for the program recognizes that many hard working families must deal with challenging rents and don’t have the ability to rent and save a down payment. The society was formed at the encouragement of the Central Okanagan Foundation, but is an independent group with a focus on making housing attainable. “By helping people on the cusp of success, a way has been found to help the whole community,” says Leanne Hammond Komori, executive director of the Central Okanagan Foundation (COF). “As opposed to going after affordable housing, this group of donors chose to focus on attainable housing for middle income families.”
The COF was part of the first Project Build and currently refers applicants to Project Build II at Sageglenn in Lake Country and the new West Kelowna site of Project Build III. “West Kelowna as an area is primed for growth, and young families are looking to live in the area.”
Elkridge in West Kelowna had the right mix of features for Project Build III. More than 80 single-family homes and townhomes suit the needs of buyers from all ages and stages of life. The quality floor plans and finishing materials are an investment that homebuyers can be confident in. The Westbank First Nation location on Elk Road offers residents every nearby amenity, from shopping and professional services to recreation and entertainment opportunities.
Project Build III has a simple and effective grant application process, modeled on the success of prior programs. Each home at Elkridge is grant eligible and every homebuyer at the neighborhood is able to apply. “Many of the applicants we’ve seen already are very suitable,” says Hammond Komori. “But we are still getting the word out to people that the Project Build Society is able to step up and help out.” [ By Bobbi-Sue Menard ]
