The Province, in partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA), will transfer ownership and management of 72 Rural Native Housing properties for Aboriginal families on Vancouver Island to a qualified Aboriginal non-profit housing provider beginning with a call for Requests for Pre-Qualifications issued today.

The Request was posted on BC Bid and is the first phase of an eventual transfer of all Rural Native Housing properties to Aboriginal non-profit housing providers.

Aboriginal non-profit housing providers must indicate their interest in pre-qualifying for the Vancouver Island RNH properties by Thursday, August 11, 2011. The transfer is expected to be complete by early 2012. The change in ownership will not affect tenancy for existing families.

Quick Facts:

• The Rural Native Housing (RNH) program provides more than 500 housing units to British Columbia's Aboriginal off-reserve population. The portfolio, composed mainly of single-family houses, is located in small and rural communities throughout the province.
• AHMA is a provincial Aboriginal social housing management agency formed in 1995. This Aboriginal self-management model for social housing is the first of its kind in Canada.
• AHMA will administer subsidies and operating agreements when ownership is transferred to an Aboriginal housing provider.
• Through Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and homeownership.

Learn More:

To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit: www.bchousing.org

Media Contact:

Communications
Minister Responsible for Housing
250 952-0628