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Affordable housing in Black Diamond gets an addition

Main Street Village to add 16 units to complex

Black Diamond’s inventory of affordable housing is set to increase. 

The Main Street Village residential complex just off Centre Avenue to the east of 1 Street E has secured funding to construct another building to complement the existing 28 units with another 16 in a new building. 

Nathan Brown, co-owner of the complex,said he was pleased to be able to meet the high demand for affordable housing. 

"There's been lots demand for it,” he said. “We have zero vacancy.” 

He added he considers it important for a community like Black Diamond to have affordable housing options. 

The development had been built from the start with the hope of adding the other building. 

“We had it roughed in there for another apartment building, a copy of the one we already have," Brown said. 

“We were just looking for the right opportunity, and CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) has a program that we qualify for.” 

The first phase was built using grant money from the provincial and federal government in 2011, with a combination of townhouse and apartment style homes in one, two, and three-bedroom formats. 

Units were rented to those who were below a certain household income. Brown says the new phase will not have the same restriction, but management will still aim to rent the units to those who are more in need. 

Of the 16 units going in, eight will be on the main floor, and six will be wheelchair accessible. 

Brown noted each unit has its own door, a major plus in the age of COVID-19. 

Black Diamond’s Mayor Ruth Goodwin said she was happy to see the next phase of the housing complex move forward. 

“We've been waiting for this last phase to happen,” Goodwin said. "I'm glad that everything worked out and that having the CMHC funds to build the additional 16 units. 

“I think that that is really good news for our low income residents. 

“From what I understand, speaking to realtors and those that are looking for their own suites, or their own apartments, condos, to rent, it's pretty hard. It's scarce out there. 

Goodwin said bolstering the inventory of affordable homes in the town will only help those who need a lift up thrive, and keep them in the community where they can support the local economy. 

"The more options there are, the more options people have, the more free they are to move a little bit more as well. 

She added that the development defies the stereotypes usually associated with low-income housing. 

“It's a really good-feeling type of place. They've got a really good small community in there,” she said.

"With the economy the way it is today, and hopefully improving in the future, that will help give at least an additional 16 people a boost up."

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