Aboriginal affordable housing received a major boost today with the announcement of more than $53 million in provincial funding.

The money will be used for eight housing developments throughout the province that will produce 378 units.

The announcement was made at the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association in Surrey, one of the housing providers chosen to receive funding.

The Province is providing more than $1.3 million in capital funding to the organization to create 15 units of affordable housing for Aboriginal women and children, in partnership with the City of Surrey and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver.

(flickr.com)

Other projects include:

• Kekinow Native Housing Society is receiving $9.4 million for a 106-unit project in Surrey.
• Lil Michif Optipemisiwak Family and Community Services is receiving $3.9 million for a 30-unit project in Kamloops.
• M’akola Housing Society is receiving $11.6 million for a 40-unit project in Fort St. John and $8.9 million for a 55-unit project in Langford.
• Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society is receiving $10 million for a 60-unit project in Abbotsford.
• Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre Society is receiving $4.6 million for a 35-unit project in Nanaimo.
• Vernon Native Housing Society is receiving $4.3 million for a 37-unit project in Vernon.

The announcement follows a call for Expressions of Interest in June 2016.

The funding is part of a $355 million dollar investment announced by the Province in February 2016 to create more than 2,000 units of affordable housing in B.C.

These new units of Aboriginal housing are in addition to the 190 units – a commitment of over $40 million – that the Province has announced for Aboriginal housing in B.C. since June 2016.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood –

“Addressing Aboriginal housing needs is a key plank of our government’s overall housing strategy. This investment will create safe, affordable housing for Aboriginal people in need, including youth, women, families and elders.”

Margaret Pfoh, chief executive officer, Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) –

“Having Aboriginal housing providers able to meet the needs of their communities on the ground is essential to the reconciliation process and to helping our people in a culturally appropriate way. We’re delighted about these eight developments and we look forward to working with all of these providers and their new projects.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested or committed to a total of $6.3 billion to provide affordable housing supply and access for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• This includes new investment commitments of $920 million to support the acquisition, construction and renovation of almost 5,300 housing units throughout B.C. over the next few years.
• More than 104,000 B.C. households benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Province's actions on housing affordability, visit: http://housingaction.gov.bc.ca/

To learn more about the Province's actions on housing affordability, visit: http://housingaction.gov.bc.ca/

Follow BC Housing on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BC_Housing