By Cheryl Jahn

New supportive housing in “Urban Village”

Oct 13, 2022 | 4:19 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Indigenous Elders and seniors experiencing or at risk of homelessness will soon begin moving into 35 new homes with supports, part of a multiphase new rental housing development in Prince George.

This is the second stage of the project at 1919 17th Ave., a partnership between the Province and the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George (AHSPG). It consists of a three-storey building with 35 accessible studio units. AHSPG will operate the units, with rent offered at the provincial shelter rate of $375 per month. The first of this four-phase housing development opened in March 2022, and provided 50 affordable rental homes for Indigenous Elders, seniors, families, and individuals.

On-site staff will provide support services to residents, including daily meals, life skills and employment training, as well as referrals to healthcare and other services. Residents will also soon have access to community and culturally appropriate programming through the AHSPG’s future community centre. The location of these homes is ideal for seniors, as public transportation, amenities, and commercial services are all located within walking distance.

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Coinciding with the opening of this stage is an on-site child-care centre with 40 spaces, funded by $1.5 million from the Province’s ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. The remaining two phases are in the design and development stages.

Adorning the buildings are murals by local Indigenous artists Trevor Angus and Damian John. The artworks are a celebration of Indigenous culture and history, helping create a culturally appropriate space for residents of the entire development.

The Province, through BC Housing, invested approximately $11.45 million towards this project through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund, and will provide approximately $1.18 million in annual operating funding.

This project is part of B.C.’s 10-year, $7-billion housing plan. Since 2017, the Province has funded more than 36,000 affordable new homes that have been completed or are underway