The Executive Director with the Quesnel Tillicum Society Native Friendship Centre says they plan to apply to the Provincial Government’s new Indigenous Housing Fund.
Tony Goulet says it is his understanding that a proposal call will be coming in September…
“We do have a plan in mind and where we want to go and the type of building, so those things will come next as we move towards the application process. It’s a good news story for indigenous and aboriginal organizations because it’s the first time that the province is going to invest in affordable housing and affordable things for off-reserve and indigenous people.”
Goulet says their plan is for multi-family housing and actual housing, not just a short term solution.
He says the announcement comes at the perfect time for them…
“It’s been something that has been on the Friendship Centre for quite some time, since I’ve been here for the last year and a bit. It’s been something that we’ve needed and the way the Friendship Centre is and the piece of property that we have, the timing is right i guess you could say.”
The province is pledging 550 million dollars over 10 years to finance new housing construction of housing for indigenous people both on and off reserve.
Goulet says he’s not sure at this point how much their application will be for.