FILE PHOTO - Westbank First Nation
(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)
July 03, 2021 - 10:56 AM
Residents are moving into two new affordable rental housing buildings on Westbank First Nation land this week.
The Westbank First Nation members now have 17 affordable homes for its residents, who started moving in July 1.
"Our community is extremely grateful for the relationship we are developing with B.C. Housing," said Chief Christopher Derickson with the WFN.
"It is encouraging to see that B.C. Housing is now investing in housing on First Nation reserve lands for First Nations people. These 17 new homes will provide additional affordable housing options for our Members in the midst of what is becoming an increasingly unaffordable housing market here in our region. Through the Indigenous Housing Fund and our relationship with BC Housing, we are making a difference in the lives of our members."
Located at 1920 Falcon Ln., the first complex is a two-storey apartment building with 14 apartments. The building has a mix of one and two-bedroom units, with the ground floor and two-bedroom units serving WFN elders and members who require an accessible layout.
Monthly rents are $400 per month for the eight one-bedroom units and $600 per month for the six two-bedroom units.
The second complex, located at 1910 Fox Rd., has three townhomes for WFN families. Each townhome has two bedrooms, living, dining and kitchen areas, and one-and-a-half bathrooms. Monthly rents are $650.
In 2018, B.C. became the first province in Canada to invest in on-reserve housing for First Nations peoples through the IHF. The fund is a $550-million investment over 10 years to build and operate 1,750 new homes, both on and off reserve.
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