After six years of steadfastness to get the senior housing complex in Shaver’s Bench redeveloped to last another 70+ years, volunteer and advocate Tom Hart finally got some welcome news a few weeks ago.
The province announced March 22 that the proposal submitted by the Trail and District Senior Citizens’ Villa Society was green-lighted for the society to rebuild 23 tired units into 41 larger one-bedroom apartments designed to meet the needs of today’s seniors.
The project budget is an estimated $15,000,000, with funding consisting of a combination of grants and both forgivable and non-forgivable mortgages. Additionally, there will an ongoing operating grant which will ensure rents remain at an affordable level for low to moderate income households.
“I was excited when I got the news,” Hart told the Trail Times. “I’m looking forward to seeing the project move ahead. In the end it will provide needed additional spaces.”
Besides funding provided by BC Housing, the society says it is very appreciative of financial contributions committed by Teck Trail Operations and the Kootenay Savings Community Foundation.
The job is designed in two phases. The first phase of demolition is slated to begin in early 2025 with construction extending into the following summer. The 11 streetfront one-story units will be replaced by a three-story complex with an elevator, with each unit 525 to 575 square feet, designed to specifically meet the needs of seniors.
Tenants are expected to move into the first new building in fall 2026. Notably, 11 tenants will be displaced during this time period.
The second leg of demolition and construction is slated to begin in fall 2026, and run into spring 2028.
Tenants for the second build are expected to move back in by May 2028.
The plan is for covered access between the buildings. The redevelopment is designed to include a common social room with safe access to an outdoor space, which will include raised garden beds.
Most parking will be on site and the existing covered parking will be retained.
The majority of units (70 per cent) will be rented at 30 per cent of household income, or lower, and the remainder will be at market rates.
Built in 1958 as a project of the Trail Rotary Club, the villa is an independent living rental complex, currently housing 10 studio suites and 13 one bedroom units for low income seniors.
The housing complex is owned and administered by volunteers on the Trail and District Senior Citizens’ Villa Society board.
As a longtime volunteer on this project, Hart first became involved with the senior’s villa redevelopment at the request of a previous board member.
When asked what drove him to dedicate so much time, at no cost, to help develop affordable housing, he replied, “I have been volunteering for all kinds of things since I came here in 1974 … it’s what I like to do.”
With numbers dwindling in all local nonprofit groups that keep the community afloat through funding and other supports, Hart voiced concern about the future.
“Pretty soon there might be no one left, who knows?” he added.
Community Housing Fund
The villa’s redevelopment was approved through the provincial Community Housing Fund (CHF), a $3.3 billion fund that aims to build more than 20,000 affordable rental homes for people with moderate and low incomes by 2031-32.
“Building more affordable homes not only makes life better for the new residents who will move in – it also makes the entire community stronger and more resilient,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West, in the March 22 announcement.
“When people have a safe and stable place to live, they can contribute to a thriving community.”
The province says approving projects is based on several criteria, including prioritized populations and the impact the new build would have on community housing needs.
Besides the 41 units approved for seniors living in Trail, Castlegar’s Lu’ma Native Housing Society was approved funding to build 68 homes for families, seniors, and people living with disabilities and the Creston Valley Community Housing Society was approved to build 18 homes for families, young adults, people living with disabilities, and women and children, in Creston.
The Times contacted the province to ask about funding budgets, which wasn’t included in the news release.
“The list of projects announced … have all been selected to move forward with the CHF, however there are still a few steps that need to happen with BC Housing before the specific funding amount can be finalized,” replied Maddie Field, senior research and communications officer, New Democrat BC government caucus.
“More information will be shared as the project progresses.”
Read more: Plans underway to redevelop Trail seniors villa
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