Official Opening of Cedar Village charts path to December occupancy

Some of the features of the New Cedar Village Elders/Seniors facility
(Photos courtesy of Metlakatla First Nation)

A giant step towards resolving some of Prince Rupert's affordable housing woes was taken today as officials gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Cedar Village Seniors Housing Development at Green Street and Seventh Avenue East.

The Development which has been launched by the Metlakatla Development corporation and Cedar Village Elders Development will offer 32 energy-efficient housing units for resident that are 65 years of age and over, with pricing well below market value, something will make the housing accessible for those on a fixed income in the region.

Harold Leighton, the CEO of the Metlakatla Development Corporation took note of the achievement of today's opening and how it continues to chart the course ahead for the Corporation and its plans for the community.

 “Today’s grand opening and blessing marks the culmination of years of planning and hard work by our Board of Directors and staff, who had a vision of bringing high quality housing for seniors and elders to the traditional territory of the Coast Tsimshian. The completion of this project is a significant milestone in the continued growth of the Development Corporation and reflects our commitment to positively contributing to our communities. We are proud to have been able to bring this new complex to Prince Rupert and look forward to welcoming residents later this year.”

Residents of the community have taken a keen interest in the facility ever since it was announced and were particularly intrigued with the design of the medicine wheel and the two prominent medicine hat toppings that are a focal point of the structure.

Also included in the design and to reflect the culture of the Coast Tsimshian on whose territory the project has been built are two totem poles and two cedar panels, representing the four clans and carved by local Tsimshian artists.

The operations of the new facility will be overseen by the Cedar Village Housing Society, which is an Independent Non-Profit society, featuring its own Board of Directors.  The project was brought to the finish line through funding from the 2016 Metlakatla-British Columbia LNG Benefits Agreement, with $17.5 million of the funding provided by the Province of British Columbia through BC Housing.

On hand for the Grand Opening and blessing of today was North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who praised the partnership in the community that the Cedar Village facility provides for.

 “Elders and seniors on fixed incomes deserve the security and peace that comes with stable housing, and should have the option to stay close to their friends, family and community The Cedar Village Elders Development is a great example of how working in partnership with First Nations, Indigenous leaders and housing providers, we can build homes that help British Columbians and are good for our environment.”

Also attending today's ceremony was Libearl MLA Rich Coleman, the Former Minister in the Christy Clark Liberal government was instrumental in developing the LNG Benefits Agreement that led towards the funding for the Housing facility.

The first tenants will be moving into the facility in December, a mix of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous residents who were selected by the Cedar Village Board earlier this year.

You can learn more about the Village and the Board from their information page here.

The Metlakatla First Nation Facebook page has a remarkable gallery of photos from today's Grand Opening and Blessing event, many of which provide for a tour of the new facility.

For more items of interest on Housing in the Northwest see out archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.