Indigenous individuals, Elders and families will benefit from 100 new affordable homes in Langford.
B.C. government invests in new homes for Indigenous peoples in Langford
With construction getting underway on 60 homes at M’akola Housing Society’s Station Avenue development, the B.C. government is adding to the project with 40 more new homes for Indigenous families in need.
“The housing crisis has left too many families in Langford struggling to afford housing, and that search for a quality home is even harder for Indigenous families,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “That’s why — together with Indigenous leaders, Indigenous housing providers and First Nations — we are building new, affordable homes for Indigenous peoples throughout B.C.”
The 40 homes in Phase 2 of the Station Avenue project are being delivered through an $8-million investment from the new Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund. The fund is a 10-year, $550-million commitment to build 1,750 new units of social housing for Indigenous peoples around B.C.
In addition to building 60 homes, Phase 1 will include office space for two Indigenous non-profit societies — Indigenous development consulting firm M’akola Development Services and Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, which offers culturally sensitive services and programs for Indigenous youth and families.
“Offering expanded safe, affordable housing options for Indigenous families and Elders in the City of Langford, while also providing Hulitan Community Family Services Society’s first purpose-built offices along with our new provincial M’akola Development Services office, is an important and exciting day for M’akola and for our future in the development of affordable housing,” said Kevin Albers, M’akola Group CEO. “We see this building as a hub for not only Indigenous families and Elders to call their home but also the hub for affordable housing development projects across our province. This first phase of the redevelopment of our Station Avenue property will make meaningful and positive impacts on the residents of Langford for years to come.”
Construction for the first phase, a six-storey apartment, is expected to be complete by March 2020. Rents are projected to range from approximately $640 (studio) to $1,500 (three bedroom) per month.
