Woman denied tenancy at Peachland residence
A Westside woman says she’s been excluded from a new building for seniors because she doesn’t have any ties to Peachland.
Gail McDermid believes the fact her application for tenancy at the new Residences on Sixth was denied violates B.C. Housing regulations.
“Most of the money for the building came from B.C. Housing, which means it should be open to anyone from across B.C., not just Peachlanders,” McDermid says.
But Peachland housing officials say selection of tenants for the 74-suite building, set to open early next year, fully complies with criteria established by B.C. Housing.
“Selection of tenants is a challenging process, and unfortunately there are always going to people disappointed they didn’t get a unit,” says Sharon Hallberg of the Peachland Seniors Support Society.
Most of the suites are 567-square foot units, many with a view of Okanagan Lake.
Monthly rents will be no more than $900 for the one-bedroom units and $1,200 for a few two-bedroom units.
McDermid, who lives in a West Kelowna mobile home that she owns, was initially hopeful when she was contacted by members of the tenant selection team after submitting her application.
“But when I went for the interview, they asked me if I’d ever lived in Peachland or had family there,” McDermid said.
“I though it was a funny question, because I didn’t think they could give priority to Peachland people.”
McDermid, who says she lives on government pensions totalling less than $20,000 annually, later found out she wasn’t accepted for tenancy at the new building.
“I’m about as low-income as you could imagine,” McDermid said.
“Sure I own my own place, but I have to sell it anyway because I can’t afford to pay the bills I have.”
Although Hallberg was not involved directly in the tenant selection process, she said her understanding was that about 50 per cent of the units in the new building have been allocated to current or former Peachland residents, with the rest going to people who have no particular ties to Peachland.
Considerations used to select tenants were income and personal circumstances, such as disabilities or special needs.
The website for the project states: “Peachland residents, and residents who have moved away and are looking to return may be considered for prioritization, subject to ability to achieve unit occupancy requirements.”