COLWOOD, B.C. — The Province of B.C. is planning to build 124 affordable rental homes for Indigenous families in Colwood with help from the city and Indigenous housing partners.
“We know from our intensive work to address long-standing housing issues in B.C. that the struggle to find a good home can be even greater for Indigenous peoples who are overwhelmingly over-represented among people in B.C. experiencing homelessness,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin, in a press release. “That’s why we are partnering with Indigenous organizations and municipalities throughout the province to build the homes that Indigenous families need in our community and at prices they can afford.”
The province will receive help from the Aboriginal Land Trust Society (ALT), Huu-ay-aht First Nations and the City of Colwood to build the homes.
According to ALT officials, the ALT was established in part to ensure financial support could be seamlessly secured for the development of affordable housing throughout the province.
Yellowridge Construction will build the homes. The land trust and the Huu-ay-aht First Nations will partner together to select appropriate tenants and manage the units.
“I am very proud to give our support for this project,” said Chief Robert Dennis of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. “This project is desperately needed to address the affordable housing challenges facing Indigenous families in the area. This is an opportunity for all of us to work together to make things better for the less fortunate in B.C.”
The project is the first in a series funded by the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund, a 10-year, $550-million investment to build and operate 1,750 new units of social housing, on- and off-reserve.
“The City of Colwood is grateful for this investment in our community and pleased to partner with the Province and Aboriginal Land Trust Society on this new housing,” said Rob Martin, mayor of the City of Colwood. “This community project will enhance the diversity of housing in Colwood, create local jobs and add new vibrancy to our town centre.”
Construction is expected to begin this summer.
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