A total of 59 new affordable rental units have been announced for Snuneymuxw First Nation.
The units, which will be located on Warpath Road, are part of 1,600 affordable rental homes through a partnership between the province through B.C. Housing and Indigenous non-profit housing providers.
Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse shared the news during a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 10, alongside the reveal that the nation would be purchasing Elements Casino Victoria.
"Our partners at B.C. Housing made an announcement that marks a big moment in our housing work. We're addressing a long-standing on-reserve housing shortage with a major housing initiative," he said. "In May 2024, Snuneymuxw submitted two housing proposals to the B.C. Housing Indigenous housing fund valued at $47 million. I'm happy to announce today both applications were approved."
Wyse added that the units will be fast-tracked and ready for use in approximately two years.
"All $47 million will be coming from the province through a B.C. Housing grant, plus associated planning budget and an ongoing operating budget."
Following the reveal, Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo MLA, told media that while the provincial government believes First Nations affordable housing on reserve is a federal responsibility, the province felt it couldn't wait.
"We really observed that federal government hasn't stepped up…" she said. "Back when Premier [John] Horgan was our leader, in 2017, he said, 'If we wait for the feds to build housing on reserve, this is never going to get done.' As a province we stepped right into that area of federal jurisdiction."
Malcolmson drew attention to a housing agreement formed a year ago between Snuneymuxw and Premier David Eby.
"This is an expression of that agreement. We've already built together some affordable housing for women fleeing gender-based violence. The locations of those projects aren't public for the women's safety, but they're up and running and they're doing their work that was so badly needed, and we need more of them. Today's announcement for affordable housing is another breakthrough and something I've pushed really hard for."
