Squamish Nation members vote 'yes' to hundreds of new affordable housing units
Members of the Squamish Nation have voted in favour of building three affordable housing projects over the next few years.
The decision came on July 28 when members took to the polls in a referendum on a land use proposal put forward by the band council.
“We can now move forward with developments on three parcels of land that will provide hundreds of new affordable housing options for Squamish families, and get us closer to our goal of bringing all Squamish people home within a generation,” reads a statement on the Nation’s website.
Squamish Nation councillor Khelsilem took to Twitter to share his excitement of the decision and characterized the results as an “overwhelming majority.” Construction will begin on 94 units this fall, Khesilem said.
The units will be available exclusively to members of the Squamish Nation.
“We want all of our relatives to be taken care of, to be able to live within our community, our ancient villages, our lineages that connect us to these lands,” said Chief Ian Campbell in a statement.
The projects will include a mix of different housing types. A series of townhomes on Mathias Road on the Nation’s North Shore reserve land, to be built next to the Elders Centre, will include 94 units of affordable housing for independent elders, families and youth, and it will also include a co-op grocery store and community garden.
A second development, to be built in the town of Squamish, B.C., could include 30 units, which would be a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.
A third development, in North Vancouver, next to the Phibbs Exchange bus station, could include a tower that accommodates a mix of studio, and one-, two- and three-bedroom units.
According to the website for the nation’s housing development project, called Bring Squamish Home, the referendum for the land use was necessary under the Indian Act.
"Indigenous Services Canada requires that Squamish members vote on whether to designate land for high-density affordable housing,” it reads.
Council also has plans to designate three more sites for affordable housing within the next two years.
“Together, these six sites represent the largest land designation for affordable housing in our Nation’s history and will provide hundreds of homes that meet the needs of our People,” reads the website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.