Yellowhead Community Services (YCS) celebrated Phase II of the affordable housing development at 240 Park Drive in Clearwater with a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday July 3.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for YCS, Christine Peterson, told Black Press, “Phase I opened its doors in 2019 with a 26-unit building. We have a wait list of about 55 people currently for that space. We are very pleased to be breaking ground and beginning construction now on Phase II. We’ve also partnered with Simpcw First Nation and part of that agreement is to ensure that there are eight units available for their members who are either looking for housing or looking to relocate back to the community. Those units will be made available when tenancy begins, and we are pleased to have that in place and honouring our First Nations peoples.”
Petersen says the project is funded by the BC Housing Community Housing Fund (CHF) being made possible with support from the District of Clearwater (DOC) and Simpcw First Nation.
The CEO explained that Phase II is on the “same property as 240” with the construction happening right beside the Phase I existing building and will become part of a complex with additional parking, and landscaping taking place. “It’s really going to be quite beautiful when it’s done.”
Community partners on hand for the July 3 ground-breaking were mayor Merlin Blackwell and councillor Theresa Braaten from the District of Clearwater, YCS board chair, Jack Keough, YCS directors Louise Weaver, Debbie Rainer, Karl Rainer, and Leslie Groulx, Thompson Nicola Regional District director for Area “A” Usoff Tsao, Wells Gray Community Forest president Brent Buck and Wells Gray Community Forest Society president, Heather MacLennan, as well as additional YCS support staff, April Christensen, manager of seniors services, and childcare program manager, Kerry Milner-Cairns.
“We’re delighted to be able to increase the availability of affordable housing for residents of Clearwater and surrounding area. The focus of YCS will be to identify and develop housing options for other communities we serve. Thanks to the District of Clearwater, BC Housing, and Trans Mountain we were able to more than double the number of units on this site,” said YCS board chair, Jack Keough.
The new homes are currently under construction, with an estimated completion date of fall 2026. Once complete, the full development will provide a total of 59 affordable homes, helping more people to have a stable, affordable place to live.
Mayor Blackwell told Black Press, “Yellowhead Community Services has been an amazing partner to the District of Clearwater on everything from transit to the community centre. This Phase II project brings a desperately needed type of rental housing to Clearwater. This will make a big difference for a bunch of people and families who are struggling to find appropriate, affordable, and stable homes. This is a very good thing.”
This next phase will add 33 new residential units to the community, including a mix of three studio, 16 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom and six three-bedroom apartments designed to meet the housing needs of many seeking affordable housing.
“It’s a reflection of the strength of the community that so many important partners can come together to make the development of Clearwater and area infrastructure and amenities an amazing place to live,” added WGCF president, Brent Buck.
Peterson said, “We must partner together and show that we have a shared vision. We are really pleased to be able to mark the occasion this time around and acknowledge the work that it takes to get to this point.”
YCS is a registered charity and non-profit society, serving as the primary contracted service provider for the North Thompson region, from Blue River to McLure. YCS will begin developing a wait list for individuals and families interested in living in this development in early spring 2026.
