The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce is developing 55 units of workforce housing on under-utilized property next to its building in the Railtown district.
The six-storey project is located at the west end of 91 Baker St. on land owned by the chamber. The current gravel parking area is being subdivided and donated for construction. Once complete, the building will be owned and operated by Railtown Housing Society, which was created by the chamber specifically for this project to address the need for local workforce housing.
This unique project is an essential addition to our business community. Recruiting and retaining staff is extremely challenging due to Nelson’s lack of purpose-built rental apartments and a zero per cent vacancy rate. These 55 new rental homes will be leased directly to local businesses to rent to their key employees or new hires.
The chamber and its economic development partners have been hearing the message loud and clear for several years, spurring an active search for opportunities to construct additional workforce housing to assist regional businesses. Workforce housing has been at the top of the chamber's and the Nelson and Area Economic Development Partnership's strategic plan in recent years.
The 55-unit workforce housing project, featuring studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom rental units, is a unique approach. The project will work directly with businesses who would hold the head leases and subsequently lease directly to their employee. Details are currently being put together on the final lease structure and clarity on the monthly rents.
Essential to the project is the assistance of BC Builds, a provincial government housing program delivered by BC Housing aimed at speeding up the development of new homes for middle-income working people. BC Builds provides lower government borrowing rates to offer lower-cost financing and grants to bring down construction costs.
Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson noted at a recent announcement, “By tapping the knowledge of local business needs through the chamber, we’re responding to some of the identified housing challenges facing people in our communities. This is an exciting partnership that shows the determination by community leaders to find tangible solutions that work.”
The chamber has been working closely with a development and project management team Workforce Housing Solutions Inc., the City of Nelson and BC Builds to move the project from concept to construction.
“The development of 55 new rental units is a significant step toward addressing the housing needs of our community’s hard-working individuals and families,” says Nelson’s Mayor Janice Morrison.
“This project will help retain and attract the talent essential to our local economy and underscores our commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for all residents.”
Nelson and area housing reports have indicated a zero per cent or near zero per cent vacancy rate for more than five years. Recruitment and retaining staff in most sectors have been extremely challenging due to the lack of purpose-built rental apartments. The chamber’s board of directors and BC Builds feels this project is vital to assist with this sector of under served purpose-built workforce housing rental units.
“Working people like teachers, nurses and construction workers are the backbone of our local economies, and they’ve been squeezed by the same housing challenges others are facing in the Kootenays and across the province,” says Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.
“The province is using innovative programs like BC Builds, which is fast-tracking construction of thousands of rental homes just like these for middle-income families.”
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce has been supportive of all new housing proposals over the years from student housing, seniors housing and supportive housing. It is a critical component on so many fronts, and the chamber board and staff want to be a part of the solution with this exciting workforce housing opportunity.
The chamber, in partnership with the Railtown Housing Society, will be hosting a business information session on the project this fall, following final project approval to unveil more information including construction timelines, lease rates and other frequently asked questions.
Tom Thomson is executive director of the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce.
