Huu-ay-aht First Nations has made housing one of its top priorities. Thanks to a grant from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, it will have 11 new units in Anacla by March 2022.
Huu-ay-aht is one of two First Nations communities in British Columbia to receive a Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) grant to build houses it their communities.
CMHC announced a total RHI investment of $6.92 million to build 19 units of affordable housing for British Columbia First Nations under the National Housing Strategy. Huu-ay-aht will receive approximately $3.62 million. The remaining funds go to the Uchucklesaht Tribe for seven units of housing.
“We have made a commitment to our people to create a safe, healthy place to live where they can connect with the land and their culture,” explained Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin (Head Hereditary Chief Derek Peters). “A key to fulfilling this commitment is offering proper housing on our ḥahuułi (traditional territory), and this grant allows us to take a big step toward that goal. By doing this, we honour our sacred principles of ʔiisaak (utmost respect), ʔuuʔałuk (taking care of), and Hišuk ma c̕awak (everything is one).”
“This 11-unit housing project builds on the success of our 2020 housing project, and it brings our total new housing units up to 22,” explained Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr. “Thanks to the timely contribution from CMHC, we are able to offer affordable housing to more of our citizens so they can move home and enjoy our wonderful homeland.”
The Nation began the project in March, starting construction on seven units – six in the Upper Anacla subdivision and one in Lower Anacla. The first seven units are expected to be completed by September, and the remaining four units will be complete by March 2022. The units consist of:
- A fourplex of two-bedroom, one bath
- A duplex of four-bedroom, two bath units
- A four-bedroom, two -and-a-half bath, with a single garage home
- Two three-bedroom, two bath homes
- A two-bedroom, two bath, with a single garage
- A two-bedroom, two bath, single-wide home (lower village)
If you would like more information about housing through Huu-ay-aht, contact Sheila Charles at Sheila_c@huuayaht.org or call 250-731-5676.
For full details on the funding announcement, go to this link.