A new multi-family rental project on the Upper Nicola Band east of Merritt is poised to open its doors in the next couple of weeks.
The 26 unit Síyáʔ Place, located on Upper Nicola Band land on Douglas Lake Road, is made up of 12 separate buildings, which will include rentals ranging from 1 to 5 bedroom homes.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the Province, through BC Housing, Indigenous Services Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation,” said Chief Dan Manuel, president of Upper Nicola Band Housing Society in a release put out by the BC government. “To our members who will be housed in this amazing safe, secure and affordable project, we say: Welcome home.”
The Province says this will provide space for families to continue living in local housing options, with band members due to start moving in next month.
“I am proud to be working with partners like Upper Nicola Band to provide more intergenerational housing options, so people can live where they grew up, close to their community and culture,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing as part of the announcement. “As the first province to fund on-reserve housing, we’re building thousands of safe, comfortable homes like this in partnership with Indigenous organizations and governments. I look forward to seeing how these new homes will benefit the community.”
This is a joint project funded by the federal government, through BC Housing and the Upper Nicola Band Housing Society.