For Immediate Release
September 10, 2024
The Dze L K’ant Housing Society is pleased to announce that the proposal for a 36-unit affordable Indigenous housing project in Houston has been selected by the Province, through BC Housing, to proceed.
The project is designed for low income off-reserve homes for Indigenous families, Elders and individuals and will be developed at a municipally owned site (3553 11th Street, Houston), via a long-term lease agreement with the District of Houston.
In 2019 the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre incorporated the Dze L K’ant Housing Society to move forward the strategic goal of increasing affordable housing for Indigenous peoples in the communities of Smithers, Telkwa and Houston, BC. Since then, Dze L K’ant has undertaken extensive community engagement work to understand the unique housing needs of urban Indigenous people and has been actively pursuing funding to develop new affordable and culturally safe homes.
The Houston project will be owned and operated by the Dze L K’ant Housing Society and, subject to project approvals, will be the society’s second project in partnership with BC Housing. In July 2024, Dze L K’ant celebrated the groundbreaking of Ken’ Ulh K’it Yikh, 1611 Main Street Smithers, which will provide 37 affordable homes by early 2026.
Between these two projects, the Dze L K’ant Housing Society will provide 73 new affordable homes for urban Indigenous people in the communities of Smithers and Houston.
“Our organization has witnessed and responded to the unique and rapidly increasing housing challenges facing those we serve, and we are thrilled to have been selected by the Province, through BC Housing, to deliver urgently needed homes in our community,” said Annette Morgan, Executive Director, Dze L K’ant Housing Society.
While the Houston project is still in the early development phase, and many details are still to be determined, the project includes a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units, recognizing the need for larger homes for growing families and intergenerational living arrangements. The design will incorporate accessible and adaptable homes for Elders and people living with disabilities, a community gathering space, on-site parking and a children’s play area. The project is located within close proximity to downtown amenities, including the Houston Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre, allowing for a high level of supports and wraparound services for tenants.
Given the increasing housing crisis in the community, the Dze L K’ant Housing Society aims to efficiently move through the design and development process, building upon best practices and lessons learned.
“Drawing on our success with the Smithers project, and our experience navigating housing development processes over the past six years, I am confident we are in a strong position to deliver beautiful and thoughtfully designed homes to meet the unique needs of urban Indigenous people in Houston,” said Lydia Howard, Housing Advisor for Dze L K’ant Housing Society.
Dze L K’ant Housing Society gratefully acknowledges our key project partners: the Province, through BC Housing and the District of Houston, as well as Lu’ma Development Management and Studio 9 Architecture + Planning for their steadfast support and expertise.
We would like to acknowledge the Wet’suwet’en Nation for allowing us to work, play and heal on the territory and all those who have supported our efforts to address the growing and urgent need for affordable rental housing in Houston, in particular the contributions of the local urban Indigenous community during our community engagement processes.
Media contact: Annette Morgan, Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre
Phone: 250-847-5211
More information on the projects selected by BC Housing can be found within the Provincial Press Release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HOUS0171-001469