The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) proudly announced that we are receiving close to $9.5 million dollars ($9,454,000) from the Federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community is the recipient of one of the largest Housing Accelerator Funding awards ever received by a single Indigenous Nation in Canada.
The Housing Fund will be distributed to the Nation over three years, 2025-2028, and is meant to remove barriers to developing much-needed housing for our community members. As we seek to build a feeling of security as part of our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan we are addressing housing – more of it, a diversity of options, streamlining the housing process and bringing our people home. This HAF funding targets those needs.
Squamish Nation has made significant strides in planning for substantial new housing projects on Nation lands and this funding will accelerate that work in several specific ways, including:
- More than 130 new homes (within three years)
- Design new subdivisions to support higher-density housing, such as duplexes and fourplexes, multi-family apartments and a variety of affordable housing options.
- Provide and plan for much needed infrastructure to support new homes, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, public transit, community spaces as well as wastewater, water and energy systems.
- Creating efficiencies for faster housing development approvals (permitting)
The result of this funding will be the development of housing that meets the needs of Squamish People living off reserve – 75 per cent of whom (more than 1,600 people) say they would like to move home. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, Hiy̓ám̓ Housing and Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation are working together to accelerate the 600 Affordable Homes Action Plan. We will bring our people home.
HAF funding is also being announced for the Musqueam Indian Band and two other Lower Mainland municipalities.
Additional Information
