View Official Press Release Here: Click Here
November 12, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port Renfrew, B.C. – On November 5, 2026, Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Stackabl Homes BC co-hosted a First Nations Affordable Housing Engagement in Port Renfrew, bringing together First Nations representatives to explore innovative approaches to addressing housing challenges while creating long-term economic opportunities.
The engagement provided an opportunity for participating Nations to learn about the Affordable Housing Initiative and Stackabl’s housing technology, share community housing priorities, and discuss potential collaboration opportunities. Discussions focused on affordable and workforce housing solutions, Indigenous participation in forestry supply chains, and opportunities related to regional manufacturing, employment, and skills training.
“This initiative is about more than building homes, it is about exploring how we can connect housing needs for the First Nations with our forestry resources, create employment and training opportunities, and potentially establish indigenous led manufacturing capacity here in British Columbia.” said Chief Councillor Sayaač̓atḥ (John Jack), “By working collaboratively with other Nations, we have an opportunity to explore solutions that support both affordable housing and long-term Indigenous economic development.”
Over the past two years, Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Stackabl Homes BC have collaborated to explore innovative housing solutions alongside opportunities for Indigenous economic development. A key focus of the initiative is examining how Canadian and First Nations forestry resources could support a future housing supply chain, including potential assembly and manufacturing operations in British Columbia. These opportunities remain subject to ongoing feasibility assessments and future decisions by both organizations. The work is moving step by step, with pilot projects being explored to test the housing system in community before any decisions are made on manufacturing. A completed demonstration home in Port Renfrew, built with Stackabl’s prefabricated, panelized wood frame technology, provides an opportunity for the First Nations to evaluate the housing system firsthand and explore its potential application in their communities. The system achieved CSA A277 certification through QAI Laboratories in September 2026.
“Housing for First Nations communities should be built with Nations, not simply delivered to them,” said Tony Jaw, CEO and Co-Founder of Stackabl Homes BC. “We are grateful to Huu-ay-aht First Nations for co-hosting this engagement and for the relationship we have built together since 2024. Our approach is step by step: start with a pilot, prove the system in community, and, over time, explore assembly and manufacturing in British Columbia that could use Canadian and First Nations wood and create local jobs and training. We welcome the conversations that began in Port Renfrew with every Nation that joined us. From our forests to our homes, this is housing built with Nations, for Nations.”
The engagement brought together First Nations representatives for meaningful discussions on affordable housing, exploring First Nations forestry participation, and economic development opportunities. Participants toured the demonstration home, shared their communities’ housing priorities, and explored potential areas for collaboration, including employment, skills development, and future manufacturing opportunities. The event marked an important step in strengthening relationships and building a shared understanding of housing needs across participating Nations. Moving forward, Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Stackabl Homes BC will continue engaging with interested Nations to explore potential pilot projects and opportunities for future collaboration.
Quotes:
“We are proud to support this initiative by providing a site on our Port Renfrew development lands, and to support a partnership exploring housing solutions and future opportunities for the region”.
- Karl Ablack, Director and Managing Partner of Port Renfrew Management Ltd.
“With a shared purpose, we can build more than affordable, quality homes. We can build places Canadians are proud to call home”.
- Dan Williams, President of Ravenstone Construction Ltd.
“This home, and more importantly our partnerships, signal a new approach to housing as a pillar of community”.
– Michael Kenchington, Chief Development Officer of Stackabl Homes BC
-30-
About Huu-ay-aht First Nations
Huu-ay-aht First Nations is an indigenous community located on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It is a part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, formerly called the Nootka. Huu-ay-aht is a party to the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, a modern treaty that grants its five member-nations constitutionally protected self-government as well as ownership, control, and law-making authority over their lands and resources. For more information, visit huuayaht.org.
About Stackabl Homes BC
Stackabl Homes BC is a housing company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, that delivers prefabricated, panelized wood frame homes. Wall, floor and roof panels are built in a factory, transported efficiently to rural and remote communities, and assembled on site. Stackabl’s factory built housing system achieved CSA A277 certification through QAI Laboratories in September 2026. Working with First Nations, Stackabl aims to grow Canadian and Indigenous participation in the housing supply chain, from Canadian and First Nations forestry products to local assembly, skilled trades and, over time, manufacturing in British Columbia. For more information, visit www.stackabl.homes.
For Citizen & Public General inquires:
Piyush Pushkarna
Huu-ay-aht Economic Development Officer
Piyush.p@huuayaht.org | 250-723-0100
For Media inquiries:
Huu-ay-aht Communications
communications@huuayaht.org
250-720-7776
For Stackabl Homes BC inquiries:
Tony Jaw
CEO and Co-Founder, Stackabl Homes BC
tony@stackabl.homes | 416-886-9675