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Housing
Southern Okanagan Association for Integrated Community Living (SOAICL) is committed to enabling the individuals they support to obtain affordable housing. To achieve this goal, SOAICL uses the principle of leveraging society assets to develop additional assets.
In 1994/1995, SOAICL used an existing asset to purchase and renovate a building in downtown Oliver which has three apartments and 1700 square feet of commercial space. The three-bedroom unit was initially used as a two-bed staffed resource with the other two apartments rented to adults in SOAICL’s community living program who could live fairly independently but needed, or their family needed, reassurance that a staff member was close by. These three apartments also had a wired intercom system. Current monthly rents range from $350 to $400 for people with a disability and $500 to $700 for non-community living tenants. At the time SOAICL used the building’s commercial area for offices and a drop-in centre. Currently the commercial space houses a catering business with a 60-seat dining lounge. The three-bedroom unit is now used as a staffed resource while the two bedroom is rented by an individual with a disability and the two bedroom and den is rented by a young family at market rent.
This model was so successful, that two years later SOAICL again used its assets to purchase a building located on the main street in Osoyoos which has two two-bedroom apartments. The rent paid by the commercial tenants helps offset the residential rents.
SOAICL also uses this building to house a day program and drop-in. The current rent for a two bedroom unit is $400.00 per month while rent for non-community living tenants is $650.00.
SOAICL’s most ambitious project to date involves building an apartment complex. Like previous projects, SOAICL is using an existing asset to increase the availability of housing options. This project came about because of a strong desire to close Beaver Lodge, a residential facility, and the subsequent need to find affordable housing for the residents in the community.
The project consists of two six-unit fully self-contained apartment buildings on a single lot. Phase one is currently built and occupied at a cost of $1 million [not including property]. Prior to the construction of Phase two, SOAICL will turn the entire project into Strata which will enable them to sell four two-bedroom apartments at market value to the public, raising enough funds to build phase two. Four one-bedroom units will be sold at cost to individuals with a developmental disability. A covenant will require that these units be sold back to the society at cost once the individual no longer wants the unit or passes away; however, they or their estate would keep the paid down equity. Four one-bedroom units would remain in the community living rental pool where current rents are $400 a month for a 700 square foot one bedroom and $650 for a 900 square foot two bedroom. Market rents are $550 and $800 per month respectably.
Everything SOAICL has accomplished with their housing projects has been without government funding or support. Their journey has been about vision and a willingness to take reasonable risks in supporting people with developmental disabilities. You can find out more about SOAICL’s approach to creating affordable housing options by visiting www.soaicl.bc.ca or contacting the society’s Executive Director, Richard Little at soaicl@img.net or phone 250-498-0309.
Read a story about how the  Kamloops Society for Community Living (23KB pdf) helped a young man move from Revelstoke to Kamloops where he is now living a more integrated and fulfilling life. According to Anders' mother, Wenche Beitel, some of the things that affected the family's experience were:
- Honouring the individual's dream for his future
- Respecting the individual's wishes and goals for his life
- Working in partnership with the individual and his family
- Flexibility in seeking solutions and problem-solving
- Risk taking and willingness to try new ideas
- Open to others' ideas and suggestions
- Belief in the right of the individual to be a full member of the community at large
- A "yes we can" approach
- Commitment to making changes if things aren't working
- Control and decision making left in the hands of the individual and the family
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Federal and Provincial Government Housing Programs
Federal CMHC Programs
CMHC Seed Funding to research your project ideas
CMHC financing options
RRAP programs
BC Housing Programs
Community Partnerships Initiative Program
Independent Living BC Program
Overview of BC Housing (249KB pdf)
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