Two affordable housing complexes will be built on WFN land.

(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)

Indigenous families, individuals and elders will soon have new affordable rental homes in their community as the Westbank First Nation and provincial government partner to build homes on the Westbank reserve.

"Our Council strives to ensure that all WFN Members are afforded housing opportunities that meet current needs and our long-term housing goals," said WFN Chief Christopher Derickson, in a news release.

"We are very pleased with both housing projects that will be developed in partnership with BC Housing on Falcon Lane and Fox Road. Providing 17 new housing options allows us to continue to support our membership with affordable housing while working towards our long-term vision of revitalizing our community core," he said.

In 2018, B.C. became the first province to invest in on-reserve housing for First Nations people through the Indigenous Housing Fund, a $550-million investment over 10 years to build and operate 1,750 new homes, both on and off reserve, the Ministry of Housing said. These WFN homes are part of the first series of projects that were selected in November 2018 to receive funding through the investment.

"Housing is the foundation on which people build their lives. With these homes, more WFN members will be able to stay in their home community, surrounded by their culture and tradition," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in the release.

The first complex, a two-storey apartment building at 1920 Falcon Lane, will include 14 apartments. The building will have a mix of one and two-bedroom units, with the ground floor and two-bedroom units serving elders and members who require an accessible layout, the ministry said.

Monthly rents are projected to be $400 per month for the eight one-bedroom units and $570 per month for the six two-bedroom units. The province is providing a $2.8-million grant through the Indigenous Housing Fund for the project, as well as an annual operating subsidy, the ministry said.

The second building, located at 1910 Fox Rd., will include three townhomes. Each townhome will have two-bedrooms, living, dining and kitchen areas, and one-and-a-half bathrooms. Monthly rents are projected to be $570 per month. The province is providing a $600,000 for the project, as well as an annual operating subsidy, the Ministry said.

Westbank First Nation provided the land for both projects and will own and operate the buildings.

Construction will start in early February 2020 and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2021.

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