The hole on Wale Road in Colwood will be filled with housing.
The B.C. government’s housing program will fund $24.8 million for the “long-stalled” 124-unit affordable rental development at 342 Wale Rd. to accommodate Indigenous peoples and families, according to a joint media announcement made with the City of Colwood Monday.
The Aboriginal Land Trust Society will work with Yellowridge Construction to develop the rental buildings. Huu-ay-aht First Nations will assist with tenant selection and ongoing management.
“This project is desperately needed to address the affordable housing challenges facing Indigenous families in the area. This is an opportunity for all of us to work together to make things better for the less fortunate in B.C.,” said Chief Robert Dennis of Huu-ay-aht First Nations, in a statement.
Construction is set to begin this summer.
“The City of Colwood is grateful for this investment in our community and is pleased to partner with the province and Aboriginal Land Trust Society on this new housing,” added Colwood Mayor Rob Martin.
“We know from our intensive work to address long-standing housing issues in B.C. that the struggle to find a good home can be even greater for Indigenous peoples who are overwhelmingly over-represented among people in B.C. experiencing homelessness,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin, in a statement.
The project is part of the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund, a $550-million investment to build 1,750 affordable housing units in 10 years for Indigenous peoples in 26 communities in the province.
The Capital Regional District is set to receive $140 million in funding from the Building BC housing fund. This investment will go toward a Community Housing Fund of $100 million for more than 900 homes, an Indigenous Housing Fund of $33 million for more than 160 homes, and a Women’s Transition Housing Fund of $7 million for 20 homes.