Image Credit: Ministry of Housing

By Adam Campbell

MERRITT HOUSING

Affordable 52-unit building underway for First Nations in Merritt

Dec 15, 2023 | 1:40 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Construction is underway for a 52-unit housing development located on 2640 Spring Bank Ave. in Merritt. The facility aims to provide First Nations families, elders and youth access to more affordable housing and is expected to be completed by spring of 2025.

The four-storey building will address housing needs for members of five Nicola bands — Upper Nicola Band, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Coldwater Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band and Shackan Indian Band.

It will feature studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units with private balconies, and 36 of the 52 units will be accessible or adaptable to accessibility needs. The building will also contain an amenity space for social gatherings and cultural ceremonies.

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon highlighted the importance of keeping communities together.

“Our government is proud to support the Nicola Bands to build housing in their communities,” said Kahlon. “These 52 new homes will play a key role in helping many elders, youth and families build good lives, and we will continue to work with Indigenous partners to build on- and off-reserve housing.”

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Following a second public hearing, the development was barely approved on third reading by Merritt council in 2021 by a 4-3 vote.

The proposal turned out to be significantly controversial amongst Merrittonians, who brought up various concerns regarding the project.

Concerns included the possibility of an increase in crime, decreased property value surrounding the lot, the geology of the land and visual pollution.

B.C. Housing is providing $10 million to the project through Building B.C.: Indigenous Housing Fund, with an additional $1.3 million contributed through the Canada-British Columbia Agreement.

Land for the project has been bestowed and will be managed by the Nicola Native Lodge Society. In alignment with the society’s vision for culturally safe housing, the development will accommodate intergenerational living, with elders and youth residing in the same facility.

For more information on B.C’s New Homes for People plan, click here.