Multiple levels of government are contributing $23 million in funds and other costs to build a 66-housing unit on Songhees Nation land.
Once the housing project at 1502 Admirals Rd. is complete, the homes will be geared towards Songhees members, and any outstanding units will be rented to urban Indigenous people. The homes will be operated by M’akola Native Housing Society.
The six-storey building will be a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom homes. It is one part of a four building project to bring 240 housing units to the Songhees land.
Construction is expected to be complete in early 2025.
This project is one of 41 recipients of the third round of the City Stream of the Rapid Housing Initiative, which provided $9.9 million in funding; $10 million of funds comes from the Federal Bilateral Canada Community Housing Initiative; Songhees Nation provided the land valued at $2.8 million; and Aryze, the project developer, is providing $525,000 of in-kind services.
On its website, Songhees Nation says 20 per cent of the units will be rented at shelter rates, 50 per cent will be rent-geared-to-income, which is 30 per cent of the household income, and 30 per cent will be rented at 10-20 per cent below market rates at the time of occupancy.
Laura Brougham
