Who is the lower Columbia affordable housing society (lCAHS)?

LCAHS is a non-profit organization formed in 2013 to provide affordable housing for low to moderate income households in the Lower Columbia Region. The Society currently manages a new 9 unit building in Trail, two additional housing sites in Trail, and one housing site in Rossland.  In July 2021, construction was started on a new 37 unit apartment building in Rossland (Rossland Yards) working with support from the City of Rossland and BC Housing . LCAHS has also started to work with the Village of Fruitvale to develop additional housing in that community.

What is affordable housing?

Affordable rental housing is housing with rents equal to, or lower than, average rates in the private-market.  Affordable rental housing is also known as affordable housing, below-market or lower-end of market housing.

What will be the criteria used to qualify for housing?

Applicants for housing will need to qualify based on income and asset limits, consistent with BC Housing guidelines. In the case of the Rossland Yards, there are also employment criteria.

Additional criteria may be applied when housing has been earmarked for a specific population.

What are the Standards for assigning Housing units?

Housing is assigned based on the Canadian National Occupancy Standards

- A maximum of two persons per bedroom.

- Household members living as part of a married or common-law couple share a bedroom with their spouse or common-law partner.

- Lone-parents, of any age, have a separate bedroom.

- Household members aged 18 or over have a separate bedroom - except those living as part of a married or common-law couple.

- Household members under 18 years old of the same sex share a bedroom - except lone-parents and those living as part of a married or common-law couple.

- Household members under 5 years old of the opposite sex share a bedroom if doing so would reduce the number of required bedrooms. 

Are pets allowed in LCAHS Housing?

Please see the pet policy. This policy applies to properties in Trail (578 Binns Street, 1358 McQuarrie Street, Columbia Park Housing) and 2062 First Ave property in Rossland. This policy may change for Rossland Yards housing.

How do I get more info / contact LCAHS with some additional questions?

Is the LCAHS Tenant’s Manual Available Online?

The general LCAHS Tenant’s manual is available here - Manual