East Kootenay — May 26, 2026 — Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK) has announced the launch of a new affordable housing loan program in partnership with the Vancity Community Foundation, aimed at supporting local non‑profits amid recent government funding cuts.
The initiative, unveiled on May 25, introduces the Vancity Affordable Community Housing Loan Fund to the region, providing pre‑construction financing to non‑profit organizations seeking to advance housing projects. CFEK has invested $500,000, with the fund set to match this investment, distributing up to $1 million in capital over the next three years.
CFEK General Manager Kerstin Renner emphasized that the program is designed to help organizations unlock additional funding sources and ensure new housing projects can move forward despite uncertainties at the federal and provincial levels. The fund will also assist non‑profits in building capacity and identifying opportunities for growth.
For more than 15 years, the Vancity Affordable Community Housing Loan Fund has provided early‑stage grants and flexible, low‑cost loans to non‑profit, cooperative, and Indigenous organizations. Its expansion into East Kootenay is expected to strengthen the supply of community‑owned affordable homes and reduce barriers within the non‑profit housing sector.
