Housing and Municipal Affairs
Lax Kw’alaams Band members will have more affordable housing options with nearly 60 new homes opening or starting construction.
“These homes reflect the strength of partnership and the importance of community-led housing solutions,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “We’re proud to support the Lax Kw’alaams Band in creating safe, affordable homes that honour the needs of families and Elders. We will continue working alongside First Nations to support housing that meets the needs of their communities.”
Twenty new rental homes are opening this fall for First Nation families and Elders in a boat-access only, on-reserve community near Prince Rupert. Led by the Lax Kw’alaams Band and managed by the Lax Kw’alaams WAAP Housing Society, the development includes two three-bedroom four-plexes and two three-bedroom six-plexes. Families are expected to begin moving in November 2025.
A second housing project, also operated by Lax Kw’alaams WAAP Housing Society and prioritized for band members, is starting construction in October 2025 at 836 3rd Ave. in Prince Rupert. Once complete in fall 2027, the building will offer 38 affordable rental homes for families, people living with disabilities and First Nation Elders who live with a family member who provide care and support.
“These two projects are the result of hard work done in collaboration with the Province, through BC Housing, the Lax Kw’alaams Band, our partners and with support from our membership,” said Garry Reece, mayor of Lax Kw’alaams Band. “We welcome the addition of new homes on reserve and look forward to continuing to work together to build more homes for our members in Prince Rupert.”
These projects are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 93,600 homes delivered or underway, including approximately 550 homes in the north coast region.
Quotes:
Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii –
“These new homes will make a real difference for members of the community living in Lax Kw’alaams and Prince Rupert. More people will be able to live in the place they want and have somewhere to call home for their families. I am grateful for the leadership of the housing society, Lax Kw’alaams Band and everyone involved for making these projects a reality.”
Shawn White, councillor and housing portfolio chair, Lax Kw’alaams Band –
“Lax Kw’alaams Band administration and council have worked hard to assure our members, especially Elders in need, have access to safe, modern and secure housing. We are thrilled to see this project come to completion and look forward to working with the Province again to build more homes for our members.”
Learn More:
To learn how B.C. is working to deliver more homes for people, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/homesforpeople
A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/homes-for-BC
To learn how BC Housing is helping to build strong, inclusive communities, visit: https://www.bchousing.org/podcast
A backgrounder follows.
