May 14, 2021
Lax Kw’alaams — The Province, through BC Housing, has partnered with the Lax Kw’alaams Band to open 10 new affordable rental homes for Lax Kw’alaams families in the community.
“With the opening of these homes, more Lax Kw’alaams families will be able to stay in their home community, surrounded by their culture and tradition,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “We will continue to work in partnership with First Nations, Indigenous leaders and Indigenous housing providers to build homes just like these, while calling on the federal government to match our funding to build even more much-needed housing for Indigenous peoples, both on- and off-reserve.”
Located at 194 – 228 Mountainview Dr., the single-storey complex includes two two-bedroom, four three-bedroom and four four-bedroom units for Lax Kw’alaams families in the community. Each home has living, dining, laundry and kitchen areas. The complex is wheelchair accessible and has a diesel generator to address power supply issues in the community. Monthly rents range from $570 (two bedrooms) to $700 (four bedrooms).
“The project provides our families much-needed housing options,” said Garry Reece, mayor, Lax Kw’alaams. “Families can now remain in Lax Kw’alaams, thereby staying close to their community and their lifestyle. The partnership between the Province and Lax Kw’alaams is a great example of how governments can work together to build affordable housing.”
The homes are located on Lax Kw’alaams Band land. The Band owns and operates the homes.
“These new homes will complement the eight affordable homes for Elders that we partnered with Lax Kw’alaams to open last year,” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast. “Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home, and it’s comforting to know that there are more affordable housing options in Lax Kw’alaams so that families can stay in their community.”
Residents started moving into their homes on April 1, 2021.
Quick Facts:
- The Province provided approximately $4.4 million for the project through the Investment in Housing Innovation fund, as well as a Deepening Affordability grant of approximately $1 million. Without the additional Deepening Affordability investment, the rents would not have been affordable for people in the community.
- The Province and the Lax Kw’alaams Band also opened eight new affordable homes for Indigenous Elders in the community in June 2020.
- In addition to these homes, the Province is investing $550 million over 10 years to build 1,750 homes for Indigenous peoples, both on- and off-reserve. More than 1,100 of these homes are complete or underway in 26 communities across B.C.
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://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/