Multi-million funding tranche allocated for the project
Federal and local governments have launched a multi-million dollar funding tranche to support the development of a new affordable housing complex that will focus on the needs of members of British Columbia’s Witset First Nation.
With $5.5 million from BC Housing via the Indigenous Housing Fund and approximately $250,000 in annual operating funding, coupled with $500,000 of joint funding through the Canada-British Columbia Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy, the new three-storey building will be located on-reserve at Witset First Nation.
The complex is slated to offer studio and two-bedroom homes for elders, individuals, and families of Witset First Nation. The building is designed to meet federal standards of utilizing up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.
“Construction of the new homes has helped strengthen the local economy by providing opportunities for training and employment to members of the Witset First Nation,” according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “This included no-cost training to local participants by Passive House Canada and Yellowridge Construction, funded by the Forestry Innovation Investment Wood First Program, as well as the hiring of local Witset contractors and tradespeople.”
Monthly rents for the newly constructed units will range from $375 to $840.
“We will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous communities and municipalities to build affordable homes like these throughout the province, and we continue to call on the federal government to fulfil their responsibilities and match our funding to build even more much-needed housing for Indigenous peoples both on- and off-reserve,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Delta North.
