Image Credit: BC Housing

By Victor Kaisar

New Housing

New 52-unit affordable housing building opens for First Nations in Merritt

Apr 26, 2025 | 10:20 AM

MERRITT — The B.C. Government says a 52-unit affordable housing building in Merritt is now open for members from the five First Nation bands in the Nicola Valley.

It says the four-storey building at 2640 Spring Bank Ave. will provide homes for First Nations elders, families and youth from the Coldwater Indian Band, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band, and Upper Nicola Band.

“The City of Merritt is proud to support this important housing initiative, which provides much-needed homes for local First Nations families, elders, and youth,” Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz said in a statement.

“We are grateful to the Nicola Native Lodge Society and our local First Nations for their leadership and collaboration in building a stronger, more inclusive community.”

The Nicola Native Lodge Society (NNLS) will operate the building, which includes a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The society also provided land for the project, valued at approximately $588,000, and construction got underway in late 2023.

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“Working in partnership with First Nations in the Nicola Valley supports self-determination and reconciliation in a way that these Nations’ members can see and feel,” said Christine Boyle, B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation said in a statement.

“I applaud the leadership by the Nicola Native Lodge Society and the five Nations for coming together with the Province to provide a culturally significant space moving forward.”

The Province, through BC Housing, provided $10 million towards the project, with an additional $1.3 million coming from the Canada-British Columbia Agreement. BC Housing will also provide approximately $413,000 in annual operating funds.

“This marks a proud moment,” Vaughn Sunday, the coordinator of the Nicola Native Lodge Society said.

“This historic occasion could not have been accomplished without the support of the members of the five Nicola First Nations, the elected leadership, the board members of the NNLS, BC Housing, and the Province.”