Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver and Tsawwassen First Nation announced this week they have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see up to eight affordable family homes built within the TFN community.
The memorandum, signed late last week, outlines the formation of a committee structure and a process for moving forward.
"As a growing community with a range of housing needs, Tsawwassen First Nation is excited about our collaboration with Habitat for Humanity," said Chief Kim Baird in a news release.
"With an established partner like Habitat building affordable housing for the community - and with the community- this represents a significant step forward," she said.
TFN CAO Doug Raines said the Habitat for Humanity model would be a great one for the community, as it would provide TFN members with the opportunity to volunteer and learn valuable skills on a home construction site.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver CEO Tim Wake added: "We're thrilled to sign this MOU with the Tsawwassen First Nation and for the opportunity to work with the TFN community in building affordable homes for families.
"Across Canada, other Habitat for Humanity affiliates have achieved great success in working with First Nations on improving family housing in their communities. We're grateful for this opportunity to work with Chief Baird and the Tsawwassen First Nation community."
Habitat for Humanity works with partner families on affordable home ownership solutions. Families achieve home ownership through no down payment and no interest mortgages, with payments tied to no more than 30 per cent of the family's gross income.
The organization held an information meeting at the TFN this summer to provide information about a possible partnership.
Partner families are chosen through a selection process with participation from First Nation members, says the organization, noting the actual dwelling is built with the active "sweat-equity" contribution from the partner family, as well as by partners and volunteers that contribute time and donations to keep the unit costs affordable.
"These are community-built homes in every way, and have high appeal to band members who want to see progress on this critical social need through their own hands-on labour." states the organization on its website.
In other news regarding new housing at the TFN, the Aquillini/TFSI Development Limited Partnership has begun building two show homes and a marketing centre. Signage adverting the new Tsawwassen Shores housing development has been installed at a couple of highly visible locations and the marketing of 42 single-family homes is set to begin this October.
In the TFN's most recent community bulletin, members were reminded the intent of the First Nation's land use plan, approved in 2008, is that properties within a "community housing area" are for TFN members and their families only. The TFN says it will not permit any subdivision, rezoning or development to non-members in that area.
"TFN's membership will grow over time; and it will be important that TFN government and families have land set aside to provide for that growth, " the bulletin states.
The First Nation, meantime, is administering a quality of life survey to members to measure how they feel about their quality of life and how it is changing.
