Colwood Indigenous Family Housing
Affordable Housing for Indigenous Families and Individuals
The Colwood Indigenous Family Housing development provides 124 much-needed affordable units in Greater Victoria, home to BC’s second largest urban Indigenous population.
Lu’ma Development Management (LDM) was responsible for the development management and construction claims management for this unique, design-build project that required fast funding approvals through BC Housing. LDM successfully expedited the project timeline – overseeing the Indigenous Housing Fund funding announcement, registering the mortgage, and starting construction in 6 months. The project was delivered under budget, despite construction and occupancy delays that resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic.
LDM also supported the artist procurement process. The building features a site-specific artwork created by Darlene Gait of the Esquimalt First Nation. “Healing Moon” depicts four wolves, representing the four corners of the earth and a shining copper moon sending powerful medicine to those in need. The building also features a pole, donated by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and carved by Edward Johnson, which was raised on June 23, 2022, with LDM’s assistance.
The 6-storey building features 124 units, including 70 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom, 12 three-bedroom apartments with rents geared to income. The development also includes a 2-level parking garage, large landscaped outdoor green space and patio, and an indoor amenity space.
LOCATION: On the traditional territory of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, also known as Colwood in Greater Victoria, BC
STATUS: Completed and occupied in 2021
CLIENT: Aboriginal Land Trust Society
PARTNER: Huu-ay-aht First Nations assisted with tenant selection
FUNDER: BC Housing’s Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund
OPERATOR: Lu’ma Native BCH Housing Society