SECHELT,
BC, May 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Members of
the shíshálh Nation have begun moving into to their new homes
with the opening of 34 new affordable homes. The Nation has
received more than $2.8 million from
the federal government through the Affordable Housing Fund for the
project.
Located at 5573 Sunshine Coast Highway, the project is called
Our House of Clans, which represents the interdependence and
cooperation of the five clans: Bear, Frog, Orca, Wolf, and Eagle.
Tsain-Ko, which is the corporate arm of the shíshálh Nation, owns
and operates the homes. Units range from studio to three-bedroom
units. Amenities include a large multipurpose room with a community
kitchen, conference area and classrooms for social programming,
fitness room, entertainment spaces, a heat treatment room,
underground parking and storage, and office space for shíshálh
Nation staff. The ground floor also has 7,500 square feet of retail
space.
Our House of Clans is constructed on land that is sacred to the
shíshálh Nation. It is the site of the former St. Augustine's
Indian Residential School administration buildings. A
Reconciliation Plaza houses the totem called Carving Tears into
Dreams of Reconciliation, created by the late Master Carver
Tony Paul. The totem was developed and organized by the syiyaya
Reconciliation Movement, and more than 1,500 people were invited to
assist with the carving. Several shíshálh Nation artists are also
featured in the building's design.
Funding for this project is as follows:
- $2.8 million from the federal
government, through the Affordable Housing Fund
- $7.2 million from the province,
through BC Housing's Indigenous Housing Fund (IHF)
- $570,000 in equity from
the Sechelt Nation and the land for the project valued at
$1.2 million.
Quotes:
"The opening of Our House of Clans marks the completion of a
long journey for the project, where many hands contributed with
government support to take meaningful steps forward in the shared
path of reconciliation. Designed by and for shíshálh members, the
stunning 34-unit building will be a proud place to call home, and a
long term gathering place for the Nation."
– Patrick
Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky, on
behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"The opening of Our House of Clans is a meaningful demonstration
of reconciliation, keeping our shared commitment to deliver
culturally appropriate homes for members of First Nations, who face
greater barriers accessing essential services like housing. Thanks
to partners, shíshálh Nation members now have access to 34 new
homes where they can grow with their families and stay close to
their culture.". – Ravi Kahlon, BC Minister of Housing
"Our House of Clans is a significant housing development that is
built on sacred land, symbolizing shíshálh Nation's resilient work
to update the story of their lands. The opening of these 34 homes
is a welcome addition to the community, and I celebrate as Nation
members move into these new homes. These will provide a safe space
for children and Elders to come together, lasting for generations
to come." – Nicholas
Simons, MLA for Powell
River-Sunshine
Coast
Quick facts:
- The Affordable Housing Fund, is part of the federal
government's National Housing Strategy (NHS), an $82+ billion plan
to give more Canadians a place to call home.
- As of December 31, 2023, the
Government of Canada has committed
over $42.99 billion to support the
creation of almost 135,000 units and the repair of over 270,000
units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including
seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of
homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
- The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), previously the
National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), provides funding
through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to
partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the
renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community
housing. This is a $13.2 billion
program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gives
priority to projects that help people who need it most, including
women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous
peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health
or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.
- As of December 31, 2023, the
Government of Canada has committed
over $8.17 billion to support the
creation of over 32,000 units and the repair of over 155,000 units
through the Affordable Housing Fund.
Additional Information:
- Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government
of Canada housing
information.
- CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and
financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need,
and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of
Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim
is that everyone in Canada has a
home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more
information, follow us
on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
- To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please
visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
- 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/.
SOURCE Government of Canada