New housing coming to downtown Prince George for Indigenous elders at risk

35 new supportive homes are coming to Prince George for seniors and Indigenous elders experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

The three storey building will include 35 accessible studio units with a kitchenette and washroom and is expected to be completed by next spring.

It will be located on 1919 17 Ave, prioritizing Métis and Indigenous seniors for tenancy.

Additionally, residents will have access to 24/7 support services, daily meals, life, and employment skills training, and health and wellness support services.

The provincial government has partnered with the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George, the society will provide culturally appropriate programming that focuses on mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

AHSPG provided the land for the project and will operate the housing as part of the society’s Urban Aboriginal Community development project.

“This development will provide support to urban Indigenous peoples in Prince George by offering up to 200 units of safe and affordable housing with on-site access to educational, child care, health and wellness, recreational and cultural opportunities,” explained Kim Hamilton, Executive Director, AHSPG.

The units will all be located on the same seven-acre lot, it is the first development of its kind in Canada.

This project is the third and final phase of the Urban Aboriginal Community development project, following the new townhomes, multi-family housing, and Childcare Facility and Community Centre Conversion projects.

At least two staff members will be on-site at a time.

“We are very excited to have the supportive housing project as part of the Urban Aboriginal Community. Not only will it provide homes for our most vulnerable seniors, but our hope is that these seniors will become part of the community and will have the opportunity to pass on their knowledge to younger generations within this community,” added Hamilton.