Lake Babine Nation will see the construction of 20 new rental homes in the villages of Tachet and Wit鈥檃t.

The project is one of three new on-reserve housing developments announced by the Province, with funding provided through BC Builds, a program launched by BC Housing in February 2024 to create more rental housing.The homes are prioritized for First Nations members with middle incomes, providing them with more attainable housing options so they can remain in their communities, according to a press release issued by the Province.

Lake Babine Nation鈥檚 housing development will consist of a mix of two and four-bedroom homes. The project will be owned and operated by the Nation and is designed to reflect the housing strategy of the community. This includes ensuring that the homes are of appropriate size and that rents remain within reach for Nation members.

The total cost of the project includes approximately $1.8 million in grant funding from BC Builds and approximately $5.2 million in equity from Lake Babine Nation.

These new homes are part of a larger housing initiative in B.C., which includes a $19-billion investment from the provincial government. Since 2017, the Province has delivered or begun work on nearly 92,000 homes across B.C., according to the press release, including almost 6,800 homes specifically for Indigenous people, both on and off reserve.

鈥淚t is vital that Indigenous people in the province continue to have access to housing where they feel culturally safe and supported,鈥� Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, said in the press release. 鈥淭he new 235 BC Builds homes will support many First Nations members dedicated to providing the services people rely on, and also offer more opportunities for them to stay, strengthen cultural ties, and thrive in the community they call home.鈥�