[News] More than 1,600 new homes on the way for Indigenous people

Indigenous people on and off reserve in B.C. will have access to approximately 1,600 new affordable rental homes through partnerships between the Province, through BC Housing, and Indigenous non-profit housing providers.

“Around 1,600 culturally appropriate homes will soon become places of comfort and stability for many Indigenous people throughout B.C. who face a greater need for affordable housing,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “These additional homes are part of our ongoing reconciliation work to ensure that Indigenous people are provided the resources and services to thrive in the communities they call home. With collective support from partners, we are better able to deliver housing that meets people’s needs.”

The second set of homes selected through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund (IHF) includes 41 on- and off-reserve projects that will provide 1,662 affordable rental homes. It includes 667 on-reserve homes for First Nations members and 995 off-reserve homes for Indigenous people. A community breakdown of projects is included in the backgrounder.

"With each new home built through the Indigenous Housing Fund, we are taking meaningful action to address the critical need for culturally supportive shelter and foster a lasting vision of community and resilience for First Nations in British Columbia,” said Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the BC Assembly of First Nations. “As the first of its kind fund in Canada to provide provincial investments for on-reserve housing, the Province of B.C. is leading by example on the collective effort needed to address this crisis which disproportionately impacts First Nations in British Columbia. By meeting the fundamental needs of families and Elders, both on and off reserve, we lay a strong foundation for people to thrive, while advancing our collective journey toward reconciliation.”

The announcement was made at the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Surrey, one of the proponents receiving funding for 65 units of off-reserve housing for Indigenous families and Elders.

The IHF is a $1.7-billion provincial program, administered by BC Housing, to support government’s target of delivering 3,500 homes for Indigenous families, elders, individuals and people with disabilities on and off reserve.

When the IHF was launched in 2018, B.C. became the first and only province in Canada to invest in First Nations’ housing on reserve, a federal jurisdiction. With this latest project selection, more than 3,220 IHF homes are now open or underway throughout B.C., with additional homes for Indigenous people through other Building BC programs, such as the Community Housing Fund and the Supportive Housing Fund.

“Indigenous leaders and organizations have long asked governments at all levels to help them take action to address the Indigenous housing crisis,” said Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “In B.C., we are taking a unique approach and working in partnership to address this need, including funding housing on reserve and treaty land, something no other province is doing. Through provincial investments, we are helping support stronger communities and making real change in people’s lives.” 

BC Housing is working closely with successful applicants, including Indigenous non-profit housing providers and First Nations, to continue these projects through the development process. More information about specific projects, including funding amounts and development timelines, will be made public as they are finalized. 

Through the Indigenous Social Housing Management Agreement, operating agreements with off-reserve Indigenous non-profit housing organizations will be administered by the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA). AHMA is the first for Indigenous, by Indigenous housing authority established in Canada. Its members manage more than 95% of all Indigenous-housing units located off reserve in B.C.

“There is a growing need for culturally supportive housing both on and off reserve throughout B.C.,” said Margaret Pfoh, CEO, AHMA. “The IHF allows AHMA members and First Nations to continue the critically important work of providing housing and services for those most in need of a safe place to call home. AHMA is proud of the collaborative work we have done to establish this funding for all Indigenous people in B.C.”

The IHF is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Along with other provincial funding programs, such as Community Housing Fund and Supportive Housing Fund, thousands of homes are now open or underway for people in B.C., including First Nations members and Indigenous people. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 80,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway.

Quotes:

Bruce Ralston, MLA, Surrey-Whalley –

“The safety and security that comes from having a culturally appropriate, affordable home is invaluable. With two new projects coming to Surrey, there will soon be 115 life-changing new homes for many Indigenous families, Elders and youth in the community who face greater barriers accessing affordable housing. We are committed to working in partnership to ensure that more homes are built where people are and built to last for generations to come.”

Kyla Painter, executive director, Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) –

“The development of these 1,600 new homes is a crucial response to the housing crisis facing Indigenous communities, especially in Surrey, home to B.C.'s fastest-growing urban Indigenous population. Thanks to the support of the Indigenous Housing Fund, these homes will not only provide affordable housing but also serve as spaces for cultural connection, healing, and community. At FRAFCA, we approach housing differently, ensuring the inclusion of land-based Nations through our partnership with Sacred Waters. By doing so, we honour the lands we stand on while creating sustainable, environmentally friendly homes designed for the long-term well-being of both people and the land.”

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing

Two backgrounders follow.

Backgrounders

Facts about Indigenous Housing Fund projects

The Province, through BC Housing, has invested more than $371 million toward IHF projects as of March 2024, the most recent data snapshot available.

• BC Housing selected projects through a request-for-proposal process, which launched in 2023.
• Proposals were submitted by Indigenous non-profit housing providers, First Nations, other Indigenous organizations, and non-profit and for-profit developers working in partnership with Indigenous organizations and First Nations.
• Units developed under the IHF program are rent-geared-to-income (RGI), which means that residents will pay approximately 30% of their gross household income. RGI rents vary based on actual tenant incomes.
• For projects on reserve, fixed rents may be considered for projects.
• If fixed rents are implemented, they must ensure an equitable approach across projects, ensure efficient use of limited subsidy funds, and support long-term sustainability of the housing stock.
• If a fixed-rent model is the selected approach, BC Housing will further review with the selected proponent to determine the acceptable fixed-rent levels.

Overall IHF projects breakdown

Community breakdown of new on-reserve IHF projects

The following successful projects are subject to changes as projects move through the design process and through approvals.

Fraser

• Hope, Schkam IR#2, Ross Rd. and Trans-Canada Highway: 31 homes in partnership with Chawathil First Nation
• Sts'ailes, (address to be confirmed at a later date): 49 homes in partnership with Sts'ailes
• Sts'ailes, Salish Way: 35 homes in partnership with Sts'ailes

Interior

• Cache Creek, (Lot 56) 2710 Sage Hill Rd & (Lot 57) 2712 Sage Hill Rd.: Eight homes in partnership with Bonaparte First Nation
• Vernon, Pebble Park; Head of Lake and Whiteman Creek: 35 homes in partnership with Okanagan Indian Band

North

• Burns Lake, north-west corner of Sus Avenue and Centre Street: 18 homes in partnership with Lake Babine Nation
• Gitlax̱t’aamiks (New Aiyansh), Lot 275 Gosnell Pl.: 22 homes in partnership with Gitlax̱t’aamiks Village Government
• Gitwinksihlkw, Lot 64: 15 homes in partnership with Gitwinksihlkw Village Government
• Laxg̱alts’ap Village (Greenville), 2 - Alder Dr.: 30 homes in partnership with Laxg̱alts’ap Village Government
• Lower Post; Liard River IR 3, Old Alaska Hwy. and Lower Post access road; Lots 10, 11, 12, 13: 20 homes in partnership with Lower Post First Nation Housing Society
• Skidegate, Lot 11-17 in the Mountainview Subdivision: 24 homes in partnership with Skidegate Band Council
• Takla Landing, (address to be confirmed at a later date): 10 homes in partnership with Takla Nation

Vancouver Coastal

• Bella Bella, Lots 98, 99, 100-103, and 105-112: 40 homes in partnership with Heiltsuk Housing Society.
• Sechelt, Selma Park & Sunshine Coast Highway: 56 homes in partnership with Tsain-Ko Housing Society
• Seymour Creek, Seymour IR#2 on Orwell St: 101 homes in partnership with Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society

Vancouver Island

• Campbell River, 700 Hummingbird Pl.: 37 homes in partnership with We Wai Kai Nation
• Campbell River, 1218 Bute Cres.: 16 homes in partnership with Homalco First Nation
• Duncan, 2815 Thiek Rd.: seven homes in partnership with Cowichan Tribes
• Hitacu, District Lot 2201, I.R. No. 1, Being Ittatsoo, Clayoquot District: 30 homes in partnership with Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government - Ucluelet First Nation
• Nanaimo I.R. 4, Lots 83, 84 & 85 Warpath Road: 43 homes in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation
• Nanaimo I.R. 4, Lots 94-100 Warpath Road: 16 homes in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation
• Saanichton, Tetayut Rd & Saanich Ridge Dr.: 24 homes in partnership with Tsawout First Nation

Total: 22 on-reserve projects for a total of 667 homes

Community breakdown of new off-reserve IHF projects

Fraser

• Surrey, 6416 & 6438 - 192 St.: 65 homes in partnership with Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
• Surrey (address to be announced at a later date): 50 homes in partnership with Kekinow Native Housing Society

Interior

• Cranbrook, 520 B Hurry Ave. N.W.: 20 homes in partnership with Aqanttanam Housing Society
• Merritt (address to be announced at a later date): 50 homes in partnership with Conayt Friendship Society
• Vernon, 3610-26th Avenue: 90 homes in partnership with Vernon Native Housing Society​

​​North

• Houston, 3553 11th St.: 36 homes in partnership with Dze L Kant Housing Society
• Prince George, 611 Brunswick St.: 45 homes in partnership with Carrier Sekani Family Services Society
• Prince George, 1431 Elkhorn Pl.: 39 homes in partnership with Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George
• Prince George, 1943 17 Ave.: 35 homes in partnership with Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George
• Prince Rupert, Bellis Road: 62 homes in partnership with M'akola Housing Society
• Prince Rupert, 836 3rd Avenue W.: 38 homes in partnership with Lax kw'alaams WAAP Housing Society

Vancouver Coastal

• Powell River, 5903 Arbutus Ave.: 30 homes in partnership with Tla’amin Nation
• Vancouver, 960 E. 7th Ave.: 40 homes in partnership with Lu’ma Native Housing Society
• Vancouver, 1607 East Hastings St.: 103 homes in partnership with Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Vancouver Island

• Campbell River, 11,23,35,47 Dogwood St.: 45 homes in partnership with Métis Nation British Columbia
• Langford, 2805 Carlow Rd.: 40 units in partnership with M’akola Housing Society
• Saanich, 81 - 95 Cadillac Avenue & 3691 Wascana St.: 104 homes in partnership with Aboriginal Land Trust Society
• Saanich, 3656 Raymond St & 307-309 Brunswick Pl.: 55 homes in partnership with Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC Saanich)
• Victoria, 210/220 Langford St. & 824 Alston St. (three lots): 48 homes in partnership with M’akola Housing Society

Total: 19 off-reserve projects for total of 995 homes.

Total (on- and off-reserve projects combined): 41 projects for a total of 1,662 homes.