VILLAGE OF LAX KW’ALAAMS – The Lax Kw’alaams Band and the Province have partnered to open eight new affordable rental homes for Indigenous Elders in the Village of Lax Kw’alaams.

“The project allows our Elders an affordable option to remain in the community thereby staying close to their families, their community and their lifestyle,” said Gary Reece, mayor, Village of Lax Kw’alaams. “The partnership between the Province and Lax Kw’alaams is an example of how public monies can be used for the benefit of all British Columbians.”

Located at 2101 Nelson St., the single-storey complex includes two two-bedroom and six one-bedroom units for Elders in the community. Each home has living, dining, laundry and kitchen areas. The building is wheelchair accessible and has a diesel generator to address frequent power outages. Monthly rents range from $375 (one-bedroom) to $570 (two-bedroom) per month.

“Everyone should have a safe, secure and affordable place to call home in their community,” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast. “It’s wonderful to see these Elders be able to move into their new homes and I’d like to thank everyone who helped make the housing a reality.”

The project is on Lax Kw’alaams Band land and the Band will own and operate the homes.

Residents started moving into the eight-unit building on June 1, 2020.

Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the B.C. Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quick Facts:

• The Province provided approximately $2.5 million for the project.

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially-funded housing projects in B.C. is available online at: 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/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-1255

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership with non-profits, municipalities, First Nations, Indigenous housing organizations and the private sector to build 114,000 affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians by 2028.

Budget 2018 included a $7-billion investment in the homes people need. As a result of that investment, more than 23,000 new homes are completed, under construction or in the approvals process for a range of people who are struggling to find a place to live, from people who are experiencing homelessness and seniors on fixed incomes, to middle-income families, students and individuals. As of Dec. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for people with middle incomes

The average annual household income qualifying for homes underway is under $99,000 per year:

• HousingHub: 2,802 homes

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes

This includes people residing in social housing (household incomes less than $65,000) as well as those living in affordable market rentals (households with annual incomes up to $74,000) – 9,837 homes:

Affordable market:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (30% of units in each project): 1,565 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Affordable Rental Housing Program: 1,615 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Deepening Affordability Fund: 1,976 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Regional Housing First Program: 907 homes for people with low to moderate incomes

Social housing or subsidized rents:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (50% of units in each project): 2,609 rental homes for people with low incomes
• Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: 1,165 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off- reserve

Housing for people with very low incomes

Rental housing for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, or for people with very low incomes (includes supportive housing and shelter-rate housing) – 4,795 homes:

• Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,012 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: 1,060 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: 679 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence
• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (20% of units in each project): 1,044 homes

Housing for students – 5,584 homes:

• BC Student Housing Loan Program: 2,699 on-campus student housing units are under construction, in development or in the approvals process
• 2,885 student housing units are also completed, under construction or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions

Total: 23,018 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org