Kanaka Bar, British Columbia: Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), Murray Rankin, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, and the Directors at The Crossing Place Housing Society, have announced a combined investment of over $7.7 million to support the creation of 24 new affordable rental homes for Elders, members of the Kanaka Bar Indian Band, as well as other Indigenous Peoples in the Fraser Canyon region, and families.
The Government of Canada is contributing over $1.4 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), $471,000 through PacifiCan’s Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), and $440,000 through a Green Energy Grant. Additionally, the Province, through BC Housing, is providing approximately $5.2 million through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund. Kanaka Bar Indian Band provided the land for the project and established The Crossing Place Housing Society, a non-profit entity, to plan, develop, construct, and operate affordable housing for people earning a low-to-moderate income. The Band is also contributing an additional $150,000.
The Crossing Place will be located off-reserve and the development will consist of 24 affordable homes. There will also be a Community Amenities Building. All buildings at The Crossing Place will be powered through a local on-site electricity generation system. The Crossing Place is intended to be an inclusive housing project that will offer residents and the community a gathering place that will contribute to Kanaka Bar’s regional reconciliation and vibrancy. The project will see Kanaka Bar’s members and regional residents return to the traditional lands of the community and accelerate Kanaka Bar’s transition to self-sufficiency while improving the Fraser Canyon’s overall resiliency. Construction on the building began in October 2021 and is expected to be complete in Fall 2022. Minister Hussen said: “No relationship is more important to our government than the one with Indigenous Peoples. That is why we are creating 24 affordable rental units in Kanaka Bar and helping Kanaka Nlaka’pamux Nation communities, the town of Lytton and residents across BC through investments in projects like The Crossing Place. Projects like this one are key to a better life for its residents and rebuilding the regional economy following the tragic 2021 wildfires. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”
Murray Rankin, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, said: “The Crossing Place will provide affordable, safe homes on-reserve.
Our government is proud to be the first province in Canada to invest in on-reserve housing and will continue to work in partnership to open homes like these across B.C.” Directors, The Crossing Place Housing Society, added: “Kanaka Bar has been developing The Crossing Place since 2018 and is very excited to operational this fall. The Crossing Place is an inclusive affordable permanent housing initiative that demonstrates true collaboration between Indigenous, Federal and Provincial governments, as well as the industry partners — it’s a much-needed step towards meaningful reconciliation. By developing a variety of new energy-efficient and affordable homes in a region struggling to keep up with housing demand, The Crossing Place will add to overall vibrancy and resiliency of Kanaka Bar as well as the Fraser Canyon region.”