(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

A Total of 125 Local Units

Provincial program to help build homes for Okanagan Indian Band members, people in Vernon

Sep 10, 2024 | 10:58 AM

Local Indigenous people in need of housing will see some more local options come online in the near future.

The B.C. Government, through partnerships with Indigenous non-profit housing providers, is supporting the construction of over 1,600 affordable rental homes throughout the province, including almost three dozen for the Okanagan Indian Band and almost 100 more in Vernon.

The province stated there would be a total of 35 new rental homes built in the OKIB. They would be located at the Pebble Park, Head of the Lake, and Whiteman Creek areas.

The investment would also see 90 homes built in partnership with Vernon Native Housing Society at 3610 26th Avenue in Vernon.

These and the other 1,600 new homes are being supported through the Building B.C. Indigenous Housing Fund (IHF), a $1.7-billion provincial program aimed at delivering homes to Indigenous people.

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“With each new home built through the Indigenous Housing Fund, we are taking meaningful action to address the critical need for culturally supportive shelter and foster a lasting vision of community and resilience for First Nations in British Columbia,” Regional Chief Terry Teegee, of the BC Assembly of First Nations, said.

“As the first of its kind fund in Canada to provide provincial investments for on-reserve housing, the Province of B.C. is leading by example on the collective effort needed to address this crisis which disproportionately impacts First Nations in British Columbia. By meeting the fundamental needs of families and Elders, both on and off reserve, we lay a strong foundation for people to thrive, while advancing our collective journey toward reconciliation.”

Units developed under the IHF program will be rent-geared-to-income, meaning residents will pay approximately 30 per cent of their gross household incomes.

On-reserve projects may choose to have fixed rate rents, ensuring an efficient use of limited subsidy funds, and supporting the long-term sustainability of the housing stock.