Squamish Nation adds to local housing

In February of 2024 the Squamish Nation completed a housing project in Squamish called Esḵéḵxwi7ch tl'a Sp'áḵw'us Place. Located on Government Road at the area the Sḵwxwú7mesh people call Siyich’em, the Sḵwxwú7mesh built homes primarily for vulnerable Sḵwxwú7mesh women and their children experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The second priority is families, elders, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ2SIA+ who are homeless or living in unstable housing.

The building has 11 studio apartments, four accessible studios, four units with a single bedroom, four apartments with two bedrooms and four accessible units with two bedrooms. As well, there’s office space for people offering a variety of services to the tenants.

Click play to see a short video documenting the construction of the building.

Hiy̓ám̓ Housing led the construction efforts with a few other agencies, including BC Housing and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

An official ground breaking ceremony was held on August 23, 2022 before construction started. A video captured highlights from that event.

Learn more about the housing initiative from the housing society that coordinated the project at this link: https://hiyamhousing.com/project-government-road/ Also read news coverage here: https://www.squamishchief.com/local-news/skwxxwu7mesh-uxwumixw-building-affordable-housing-in-squamish-for-members-7774011