Indigenous people will soon have access to new affordable housing, including Prince George.
The government announced today (Nov. 24) the first set of homes selected through the Building B.C.: Indigenous House Fund, a 10-year, $550-million commitment from the provincial government to build 1,750 new units of social housing for Indigenous peoples.
1,143 homes will be built over the next two to four years.
The funding includes 776 off-reserve homes and 367 homes on-reserve. This makes B.C. the first province in the country that is investing provincial housing funds into on-reserve homes.
Prince George is receiving $10 million, which is going to the Aboriginal Housing Society to build 50 new homes.
For too long, Indigenous peoples have faced housing challenges out of proportion compared to other Canadians. Soon, Indigenous peoples on and off-reserve will have access to more than 1100 new affordable homes in 26 communities throughout BC. https://t.co/ANf0UhoXiJ @BC_Housing pic.twitter.com/hiKq1lXKrC
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) November 24, 2018
B.C. Housing is working alongside Indigenous non-profit housing leaders as well as First Nations to have the projects finalized in a few months.
“Long-term, stable housing is critical for keeping Indigenous families together and their communities thriving," Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation says in a press release. "This housing project is exceptional news for Indigenous peoples who have faced extraordinary housing challenges that are out of proportion compared to other Canadians. Our government is committed to work in partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, Indigenous housing societies and First Nations to make sure more Indigenous peoples have access to housing that meets their needs in communities throughout B.C.”
