Indigenous families in need will have access to more affordable housing in Langford with 40 homes being added to MB次元官网网址檃kola Housing SocietyB次元官网网址檚 Station Avenue development.
The provincial government announced the additional homes Thursday at the project site, alongside representatives from MB次元官网网址檃kola Housing Group and Hulitan Family and Community Services Society.
Langford Mayor Stew Young and Premier John Horgan both expressed their support for the housing project.
B次元官网网址淸The] two- and three-bedroom units will allow people to move into the community, to put down the roots that all of us need B次元官网网址� Indigenous and non-Indigenous B次元官网网址� to realize [our] potential,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淗ousing is foundational to our lives, to our success as individuals and as a community.B次元官网网址�
Phase one of the housing project will involve the construction of a six storey apartment that will include 60 homes and commercial office space on the main floor for MB次元官网网址檃kola Development Services and Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, which offers services and programs for Indigenous youth and families. It is expected to be complete by March 2020.
READ MORE: More housing for Indigenous peoples coming to Langford, Colwood
Phase two of the project will involve the construction of the additional 40 homes.
Rents in the first phase will range from about $640 per month for a studio to $1,500 per month for a three bedroom unit.
Young noted Coun. Lanny Seaton once owned the property where the project is being built, but back then there was only one house on it.
B次元官网网址淭o go from one house to 100 units for people in need is something IB次元官网网址檓 sure your dad and your mother would be appreciative of,B次元官网网址� Young said to Seaton. B次元官网网址淭his is what LangfordB次元官网网址檚 all about.B次元官网网址�
The province is investing $12 million towards phase one of the project through the Provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Program as well as $8 million towards phase two through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund.
The Capital Regional District will see about $33 million for more than 160 homes from the province through the Indigenous Housing Fund.
MB次元官网网址檃kola Group CEO Kevin Albers said MB次元官网网址檃kola Housing Society, MB次元官网网址檃kola Development Services and Hulitan Family and Community Services Society came together to come up with the plan for the development.
READ MORE: B.C. invests in 1,100 new homes for Indigenous residents
B次元官网网址淪upporting Indigenous people, families, and where they choose to live B次元官网网址� be it on or off reserve B次元官网网址� is the most powerful thing that we can do to support Indigenous people and move towards reconciliation,B次元官网网址� Albers said.
Kendra Gage, executive director of Hulitan Family and Community Services Society added she is grateful they will have the opportunity to work with MB次元官网网址檃kola Group and provide services to families.
B次元官网网址淣ot only are we housing families but this opportunity will give parents the ability to have their children return from the ministryB次元官网网址檚 care and will allow the children to stay in their family homes,B次元官网网址� Gage said. B次元官网网址淭his project is a testament to what occurs when Indigenous organizations come together, and our communities are stronger because of it.B次元官网网址�
Young said having the opportunity to build in LangfordB次元官网网址檚 downtown core close to transportation corridors will be good for the community.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about creating opportunity for all different levels of housing,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淸Residents] recognize that affordability and providing space for all different families is important B次元官网网址� affordability and density in the downtown core is what builds and strengthens community.B次元官网网址�
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
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