During this years’ annual general assembly, Lake Babine Nation (LBN) Chief Wilf Adam announced that LBN members will soon have access to more housing options.
Thanks to a new funding provided by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, LBN will build a six-unit complex at Woyenne. Each unit will have three bedrooms.
According to Bernard Patrick, responsible for LBN’s housing and infrastructure, although LBN will charge rent for the new units, it "won’t be substancial.”
Patrick said LBN has been experiencing a housing shortage due to a growing population.
Government will cover $1.6 million of the $1.9 million project and LBN will pay for the remainder of the cost. The new housing units will start being built next spring and are expected to be completed by midsummer 2017.
During the annual general assembly, Chief Adam also announced that new cultural centres will be built in three communities - Fort Babine, Tachet and Woyenne - within the next few years. He said LBN is planning to build a "2000-seat multiplex" at Woyenne.
These cultural centres are be part of the immediate benefits included in a 25-year agreement between LBN and the province that is currently being developed. The agreement is expected to be completed by December 2016.