Construction is underway for a B.C. Housing Project in the Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island) community east of Agassiz.
Community officials announced construction began on Monday, Jan. 20. The first phase of the project is set to bring 34 new rental homes (one-, two- and three-bedroom units) to the community, which includes 16 apartments, six townhomes and 12 units specifically designed for elders.
Crews are expected to limit their work hours to between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday A temporary parking area has been set up on Steqoye Rd.
The first phase of the project is expected to be complete by August 2026.
In June 2023, B.C. housing minister Ravi Kahlon was in Seabird Island to announce the $20-million on-reserve affordable home project. Construction comes later than the expected start date of March 2024. As expected, building will begin at the intersection of Pipeho:m and Steqoye Roads, within walking distance of not only the band office but Seabird Health Centre and the Early Childhood Development Centre.
During the announcement, Seabird Island Chief Jim Harris said the new housing would go a long way to alleviate the community's overcrowding issues.
“Housing is a long-standing issue for First Nations across Canada, and Seabird is no exception,” he stated. “Seabird works hard to help people build their own homes, but that is not an option for many of our low-income families. We are thankful for the continued partnership with B.C. Housing.”
The Seabird Island housing project is part of a larger $19-billion investment from the provincial government. The B.C. Housing Project has delivered more than 76,000 homes across the province that are either underway or completed. About 500 of these homes are in what used to be the Chilliwack-Kent riding.
Any community members with questions about the development should email contact@seabirdisland.ca.