Indigenous peoples on and off-reserve will soon have access to more than 1,100 new affordable homes in 26 communities throughout British Columbia. The first set of homes selected through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund includes nearly 780 off-reserve homes and close to 370 homes on-reserve. This makes B.C. the first province in Canada to invest provincial housing funds into on-reserve housing.
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands said: "I applaud this crucial investment in affordable housing for Indigenous peoples both on- and off-reserve. Housing is a fundamental necessity that provides people with the basic security they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. This government's proactive approach to providing more affordable housing for Indigenous peoples takes significant strides toward addressing the housing challenges and unacceptable levels of homelessness faced by Indigenous peoples around B.C."
The Indigenous Housing Fund will provide $550 million over the next 10 years to build 1,750 units of social housing for Indigenous peoples, on and off-reserve, in British Columbia. It was launched in Budget 2018 as part of the Province's 30-point housing plan. The plan outlines the largest investment in affordable housing in B.C.'s history, more than $7 billion over 10 years.
The announcement was made on the Katzie First Nation reserve in Pitt Meadows, which is receiving $7.8 million for 39 units of on-reserve housing for Indigenous youth, Elders and families.