A number of partners will soon be breaking ground on an affordable housing project for Indigenous people in Kamloops.
A new apartment at 975 Singh Street will have 31 units, and will be specifically for Indigenous youth aging out of the child welfare system and for Indigenous elders.
Housing Minister Selina Robinson was in town for the announcement, and talked about the mixture of youth and seniors who will live there.
“We might think it’s innovative. It’s actually, what I’d say, maybe old school. It’s traditional, and it’s very exciting to see young people have the opportunity to live together. Co-housed with elders, and provide opportunities for both to thrive,” she says.
“What’s really exciting about this particular project, is that the community determined what its needs were. So LMO [the Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Community and Family Services Society] coming together, saying ‘we need a place for our young people to be safe and secure and have a life.’ And recognizing that elders have a role.”
The Lii Michif Society is developing the project, and says construction will start as soon as a building permit is granted from the city, adding no rezoning for the property is needed and a construction contract has already been awarded. The society says the apartment will be move-in ready by next spring.
The City of Kamloops granted a 60-year lease of the land to BC Housing to allow this project to go ahead.