Nelson District Housing Society turns over keys to Nelson CARES
By Nelson Daily Staff
Roland Perrin and the Nelson District Housing Society have turned over the keys to the Copper Mountain Court, Cedar Grove Estates and Lakeside Place Monday (October 1) to Nelson CARES Society in a move that promises to keep affordable housing in the Heritage City for years.
“It was time to find a new model of business that would ensure affordable housing in Nelson for decades to come,” Roland Perrin, Chair of the Nelson District Housing Society, said in a written release.
The move came through an application process guided by BC Non-Profit Housing Association.
“(Nelson CARES Society) clearly demonstrated that they have the capacity, commitment and structure to manage the properties and keep them in good repair,” Perrin explained.
The Nelson District Housing Society has been functioning for the past 31 years providing services to the community.
The move comes after the two Boards and the Executive Director of NCARES have worked through the summer months to organize the transfer and make it seamless for the tenants, staff and the community.
It hands over 106 affordable housing units, assets and properties from Copper Mountain Court, Cedar Grove Estates and Lakeside Place.
“Our priority is to ensure that the service to the community continues to be at the highest level,” Jenny Robinson Executive Director (NCARES) said.
“The two organizations have worked in deep collaboration to meet all the legal and operational requirements to complete the transfer.”
Nelson CARES Society is a multi service agency that provides housing, support to adults with developmental disabilities and runs the advocacy centre, and earth matters.
The society, with a $3.5 Million annual budget, receives funding from BC Housing as well as Community Living BC provides funds for programs for disabilities.
There are also scattered grants along with funds received from Columbia Basin Trust, Law Foundation and Osprey Foundation.
Nelson CARES Society has 90 employees and eight active board members.
“In terms of continuity and programming, (combining Nelson Cares with Nelson District Housing Society) is a very good thing,” Robinson told The Nelson Daily.
“So we’ll now have the emergency shelter (Stepping Stones) all the way to senior’s housing under one umbrella for the community. So it will be a one-stop shop eventually when we integrate.”
“(Plus) the complexity of these funding agreements for housing are becoming more and more intense and so for community boards it’s becoming more and more challenging so with Nelson CARES we have the management infrastructure so we don’t lose the housing,” Robinson adds.
There will be no change in the access, availability, and application process related to these properties. Contact information for the staff will remain the same.
Affordable housing is a determinant of health that sets lives on a steady course.
Between the two organizations there is a 65-year history of providing housing in the community of Nelson.
