After six years with little to no progress, The Sun Peaks Housing Authority (SPHA) has taken on a new project, and looks to expand.
Formed in 2018, and based on the Whistler Housing Authority, the SPHA lacked funding for much of its existence, limiting its efficiency. Throughout the years, a few housing projects have crossed the board’s desk, including one proposed at the same site where the BC Builds residential rental development is currently in the works, chair of the SPHA and coun. Len Hrycan explained. This project fell to the wayside due to rising interest rates, he said.
With other priorities identified for municipality funds, SPHA hasn’t had much funding since its inception. A $30,000 surplus in last years’ municipal budget has, however, been earmarked for SPHA.
Now that Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) has been granted money from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), additional funds are set to go toward SPHA, specifically for hiring a manager.
“It may be a consultant opportunity in the initial stages, because it may only be part time,” Hrycan said about this position, adding the eventual goal is to have a manager help through the design process of the BC Builds project and run it once it’s complete.
With money from the HAF, the housing authority is able to take advantage of the low-interest financing of the BC Builds project, which over time can provide funding for future SPHA projects.
By the time the BC Builds project is handed to the housing authority, Hrycan said SPHA should be fully running and able to manage the project for its lifetime.
“The BC builds project is the catalyst that’s really going to get the housing authority going,” Hrycan explained. “Its focus and its mandate needs to be much broader than that.”
In the future, SPHA hopes to support Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) employee housing, as well as housing for employees of businesses in the village.
“I think that the key for us is that we are reliant on having to tap into sort of the non-traditional, non-taxation, funding opportunities that might exist out there,” Hrycan added. “We’ll continue to chase those hard when those opportunities arise.”
Expanding the Sun Peaks Housing Authority
In addition to hiring a manager, the non-profit corporation will be restructuring and growing the board of directors.
Going forward, the board will consist of seven directors made up of two council members, two Tourism Sun Peaks (TSP) representatives, one person from SPR, a business owner and a full time resident and employee of a Sun Peaks business with a valid business license.
A broader representation of the community with different housing needs is key, Hrycan said, explaining SPHA should be community-driven to be successful.
Though there is an idea of how to structure the board of directors, the work to bring them together is still in the early stages.
SPHA has made contact with people at SPR, TSP and in the community to gather interested candidates for the board, and those will be considered at the next meeting on Nov. 26.
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