VICTORIA – New Democrat MLAs Jennifer Rice and Doug Donaldson are welcoming new, affordable homes for Indigenous peoples in their communities of North Coast, Stikine, and neighbouring Skeena.

“British Columbia is the first province in Canada to fund on-reserve housing,” said Rice. “Our government is walking the walk and this investment to support Indigenous nations represents our ongoing commitments to reconciliation in action.”

This new funding will help build more than 280 housing units across the North. The North Coast, Stikine, and Skeena regions will be receiving 206 new homes across seven communities which include:

• $12 million to the Lax Kw’alaams WAAP Housing Society to support 60 new homes in Prince Rupert
• $4 million to the Lax Kw’alaams WAAP Housing Society to support 20 new homes on reserve
• $4.8 million to the Skidegate Band Council to support 24 new homes on reserve
• $5.2 million to the Witset First Nation (Morricetown Band) to support 26 new homes in Witset
• $1.2 million to the Heiltsuk Tribal Council to support 6 new homes on reserve
• $9.6 million to the M’akola Housing Society to support 48 new homes in Terrace
• $7.5 million to the M’akola Housing Society to support 23 new home on reserve

“People in every part of the province are struggling to find affordable housing,” said Donaldson. “We’re working in partnership with First Nations to make sure we develop housing that meets their needs, and are committed to developing a true government-to-government relationship.”

These new homes are part of the first series of housing projects selected through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund, a 10 year, $550 million commitment to build 1,750 new units of affordable housing for Indigenous peoples.

BC Housing will work with the various housing providers to finalize the projects over the next few months.