BC cities approve new 100‑unit rental projects amid high vacancy rates

The Kelowna City Council voted to approve a 100‑unit rental apartment building on Coronation Street, granting the developer a 10‑year property‑tax exemption, reduced parking requirements and lower development cost charges, without any affordable‑housing component. Only Councillor Ron Cannan opposed the measure, while Mayor Tom Dyas argued that rejecting the project would send the wrong message. The council also approved a separate 233‑unit rental project at the same meeting, despite the region’s vacancy rate of about 6.9%, the highest among Canadian metros over 100,000 residents.

In Salmon Arm, developer Broadstreet Properties submitted a proposal for a six‑storey, 100‑unit mixed‑use building near the Mall at Piccadilly. The plan includes retail space on the ground floor, reduced off‑street parking to 136 stalls, bicycle parking, EV‑charging stations and extensive common‑area amenities. Development manager Oskar Winnat highlighted the project’s alignment with the city’s housing‑supply objectives and its contribution to housing diversity.