$2.9 million will be going towards developing new and improving existing affordable housing options for First Nation communities thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust.
$585,000 has been allocated to the Lower Kootenay Band to improve 17 existing units.
“It’s going to be energy retrofits and repairs and some health and safety stuff as well.” Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits Mark Brunton explains. “Quite a bit around new roofs, extra insulation and there could be some upgrades to old appliances to enhance energy efficiency.”
Brunton says one of the immediate benefits to making these upgrades is lower monthly energy costs.
Other communities benefiting include:
- The ʔakisqnuk First Nation, $889,000 for 29 new units and improving 4 existing units
- ʔaqam, $469,000 for 1 new unit and improvements to 62 existing units
- Shuswap Indian Band, $200,000 for 4 new units and improving 5 existing units
- ʔakinkumǂasnuqǂiʔit (Tobacco Plains), $660,000 for 9 new units
Many of the projects are already underway according to Brunton and the communities involved are working independently.
“Different crews for each community. They do their own procurement. You know one thing we like to help them with though is to have a training program for each and every one of those construction projects. So we recommend, we help support them getting two or three members to participate and we’re helping with tools.”
The project is a part of the Trust’s $5.5-million First Nations Housing Sustainability Initiative.