Wednesday September 11, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
More than 1,600 new affordable rental homes are on the way for Indigenous people. through partnerships between the Province, through BC Housing, and Indigenous non-profit housing providers.
That was announced yesterday by BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon 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.
“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 Kahlon.
“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.”
Map:
A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in BC is available online.
247 units in Greater Victoria:
That includes 247 housing units in the Greater Victoria area:
- Langford at 2805 Carlow Rd: 40 units in partnership with M’akola Housing Society
- Saanich at 81 – 95 Cadillac Ave & 3691 Wascana St: 104 homes in partnership with Aboriginal Land Trust Society
- Saanich at 3656 Raymond St & 307-309 Brunswick Pl: 55 homes in partnership with Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC Saanich)
- Victoria at 210/220 Langford St & 824 Alston St (three lots): 48 homes in partnership with M’akola Housing Society
Popham, Lore and Parmar weigh in:
“Housing is top of mind for leaders across B.C., so it’s wonderful the Aboriginal Land Trust Society and the Metis Nation of BC are stepping up to work with government to provide nearly 160 new homes for people, in Saanich South,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South.
“The M’akola housing society is always doing vital work to serve Indigenous people here in Victoria,” said Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill. “These 48 new homes will be great for local families who need more housing options here.”
“People across our community recognize the urgent need for more affordable housing,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “I am proud that our Government is once again partnering with the M’akola Housing Society to build 40 new homes for Indigenous families in Langford.”
Indigenous Housing Fund:
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,” said Teegee in a news release from the BC government.
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.”
More projects to come:
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.”
$19 billion housing investment:
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.