Houston, BC – 9 October, 2025– The Dze L K’ant Housing Society is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of our 41-unit affordable Indigenous housing project located on traditional unceded Wet’suwe’ten territory of the Gitumden clan and Laksilyu clan in Houston.
The project is funded by the Province’s Indigenous Housing Fund, through BC Housing, and is designed to provide safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing for low-income Indigenous families, Elders, and individuals living off reserve. The new development will be located at 3707 Niwhts’ide’nï Place, Houston (formally 3553 11th Street), a on municipally owned site secured through a long-term lease with the District of Houston.
The event opened with prayer, followed by a territorial territory welcome and remarks by Wet’suwet’en hereditary leadership. Representatives from the Dze L K’ant Housing Society and the District of Houston, shared remarks and a ceremonial cleansing took place with community members brushing the site with cedar boughs. Acknowledgements of key partners and prayer closed the celebration.
The new building will offer a mix of studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units to meet the urgent housing needs facing urban Indigenous people in the community. The project is specifically designed to meet the unique housing needs of Indigenous families and intergenerational households, as well as offering accessible and adaptable homes for Elders, seniors, and people living with disabilities.
Nox Stikine, Annette Morgan, the Executive Director of the Dze L K’ant Housing Society states: “I am incredibly proud to see this project come to life. This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration between our hereditary leadership, municipal partners, and funding agencies such as BC Housing and AHMA. Together, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for our Indigenous community members. This housing project is not just about building structures; it is about creating a safe and nurturing environment where families can thrive, embrace their cultural identities, and foster a sense of belonging. We are committed to ensuring that this development reflects the values and traditions of our people while addressing the urgent housing needs faced by our community.”
The building design incorporates Indigenous art, a community gathering space with kitchen facilities, on-site parking, and a culturally inspired children’s play area designed by Stephanie Anderson a Wetsuwe’ten artist. Located directly beside the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre’s new childcare project (currently in construction), close to downtown amenities and a short walk to the Houston Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre, the location allows the Friendship Centre to provide a high level of wrap around support to families. The building will also have a tenant support worker on site during business hours.
The project is being constructed by IDL Projects with development consultancy services provided by Lu’ma Development Management. Construction is scheduled to be complete by early 2027 with families moving in by spring 2027. This development marks the second major housing initiative by the Dze L K’ant Housing Society in partnership with BC Housing. In July 2024, the organization broke ground on Ken’ Ulh K’it Yikh in Smithers, a 37-unit affordable housing project. Together, through these two projects the community’s first off reserve Indigenous-led housing society will provide 78 new affordable homes for Indigenous peoples in Smithers and Houston.
“We are proud to support Nation-led housing projects that provide safe, affordable and culturally grounded homes,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Together with partners, we are uplifting Indigenous communities and ensuring families, Elders and individuals have a place to call home for generations to come.”
“AHMA members like Dze L K’ant are making an immeasurable difference for families facing housing precarity in communities across BC,” said Margaret Pfoh, CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA). “This project will support generations of urban Indigenous people within a culturally grounded environment. We celebrate Dze L K’ant’s achievement, offering hope for brighter futures through collaborative housing leadership.”
The Dze L K’ant Housing Society gratefully acknowledges its partners, including the Province through BC Housing, the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and the District of Houston. A special acknowledgement to our project team including Lu’ma Development Management, IDL Projects and Boni Maddison Architecture.
The Dze L K’ant Housing society expresses deep gratitude to the Wet’suwet’en Nation for the opportunity to build on their territory and to the local urban Indigenous community whose voices have guided the vision for this project.
Media Contact:
Nox Stikine, Annette Morgan (MBA)
Executive Director, Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre
Phone: 250-847-521
Photo Credit: Camus Photography