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Greater Victoria First Nation to get over $20 million for housing project

Songhees Nation getting federal and provincial cash to fund 66 affordable housing units
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Four levels of government have joined together with the private sector to fund a 66-unit affordable housing development on Songhees Nation land. (Photo courtesy @TalktoAryze/X)

An affordable housing development on the Songhees Nation is getting an almost $20 million boost from federal and provincial coffers, it was announced on Friday (Feb. 16).

The money will be spent on building a 66-unit apartment building on Admirals Rd. near the View Royal Canadian Tire. Units will be offered at below-market rates and residents will pay no more than 30 per cent of their income.

The Songhees Nation is putting up the land, valued at about $2.8 million.

“This project symbolizes our unwavering commitment to providing safe and secure housing for all our members,” Songhees Chief Ron Sam said in a news release.

Construction on the development is already under way.

The homes will include a mix of studios and one- and two bedroom apartments, all managed by the M’akola Housing Society. Priority for the units will be given to Songhees members.

A tight timeline has been set for the project — the goal is to have the building finished by early next year — and building developer Aryze is contributing $525,000 of in-kind services to the project.

“This building is the epitome of rapid housing, from funding to construction in less than a year,” said Luke Mari of Aryze.

The provincial government is putting up $10 million through BC Housing, while the federal government is chipping in $9.9 million through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The Capital Regional District is also a partner in the project, and has helped bring the funding sources together through grant applications.