It got a rough ride from neighbouring residents but, nearly a year after a low-income housing development was approved for Columbia Street, the lot sits empty.

However, the group behind the development insists it will be built once the proper funding is in place.

Dawn Hrycun, CEO of the John Howard Society, which is building the project, said its application for funding is sitting on B.C. Housing's desk, waiting to be approved.

She expects BC Housing to allocate dollars to the project sometime this fall or early next year.

Once the funding is approved, the society said the development is ready to start construction.

The project will consist of 44 one-bedroom units of low-income housing at 275 Columbia St.

Hrycun said BC Housing has earmarked money for seniors units in the city, but hasn't done so for low-income single urban housing.

At the time of its approval, the society said it hoped to hear back from BC Housing within six months.

Hrycun said it's not unusual for a delay, noting it was the same for other John Howard Society buildings, including the Victory Inn and Bedford Manor.

"I'm very confident our project will be supported because it has all the right ingredients," she told KTW.

Hrycan also indicated the building design will be the same as what was approved by city council last year.

The cost of project is expected to be in the upper $7-million range, with most of the money coming from BC Housing.

The project narrowly won approval from the city in a 5-4 council vote.

Residents had a whole host of concerns with the development — ranging from traffic issues to the cost of the project and perceived lack of consultation by the society and the city.