Fourteen families, individuals and Elders will move into new, affordable homes on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation reserve in Coquitlam starting Jan. 1.
Today, Dec. 12, the Nation held a reception to give thanks to the federal and provincial partners that funded the housing project and offered tours of the units.
Built on Lot 16 at 65 Colony Farm Rd., the homes aim to provide “safe and stable” housing for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm members, said KFN Coun. John Peters, noting the evolution of reserve housing over the past 30 years from trailers and modulars to stick-built homes.
And he hopes more subsidized, energy-efficient housing will go up to accommodate other Nation members; about 36 per cent now call “slakəyánc” home.
“With these new homes, families, individuals and Elders will have the opportunity that everyone deserves: To live in their community on their traditional territory close to family and friends,” said Fin Donnelly, MLA for Coquitlam–Burke Mountain, at the reception.
“This housing will also offer KFN members living elsewhere the opportunity to move back home to live right here. Importantly, this housing will provide members with the peace of mind that comes with stable and affordable housing.”
The new units are the first for the Nation under its historic Land Code, which in 2020 saw the federal government transfer the management of the reserve lands to the KFN.
BC Housing kicked in about $3 million for the housing development through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund and is giving $60,000 a year for operations; Indigenous Services Canada contributed $825,000 from the federal Housing Support Program.
About the units
The new rental homes are a mix of one-bedroom, one bedroom plus den, and three- and four-bedroom homes on KFN land that’s assessed at $1.7 million.
Operated by the KFN Housing Society — a non-profit housing provider owned by the Nation — the homes will be rented at a cost of between $500 to $1,200 a month.
Theresa Boyce, KFN’s manager of community infrastructure, also gave thanks to the funding partners before a red ribbon was cut to signal the grand opening.
KFN members Kristina Joe and Elder Wilma Lady, an American resident who will rent one of the new units, called for witnesses and gave land acknowledgements.
Also at the launch were Port Coquitlam Coun. Glenn Pollock, as well as Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart and councillors Brent Asmundson, Matt Djonlic and Dennis Marsden — the latter the acting CEO of KFN Enterprises, the economic development arm of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation that’s working on the səmiq̓ʷəʔelə/Riverview Lands.
