Today, Musqueam joined our relatives from Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, along with the Province of British Columbia, for an exciting announcement about the our Heather Lands development project.
The ‘Attainable Housing Initiative’ (AHI) is a new and innovative partnership between MST Development Corp. and the Province of BC.
Through the initiative, thousands of first-time home buyers will have the opportunity to purchase a home at an initial 40% below market value at the Heather Lands in Vancouver. This rate is made possible through an innovative financing initiative envisioned by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) (MST) Nations delivered in partnership with the Province.
This unique Nations-led initiative aims to ease the housing crisis for our people, and helps us obtain further funding for the Heather Lands development.
Long term revenues from rents and leasehold purchases of these homes will provide funds to be put directly back into advancing the needs of our community for years to come.
“Ten years ago, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh signed groundbreaking agreements that led to our Nations working together to regain ownership of several properties within our shared territories,” said xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Chief Wayne Sparrow. “This relationship has evolved, and we are proud to collectively introduce this new initiative that will ease the housing crisis faced by our members and the general public.”
About the Heather Lands
Musqueam has been working with Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Canada Lands Company (CLC) to redevelop the Heather Lands – a 21-acre area in Vancouver’s Cambie corridor. In 2014, we bought 50% of the land from the federal government, and since then we’ve been planning the redevelopment with CLC and City of Vancouver.
In 2020, we signed agreements to ensure that Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh will fully own this property forever.
The Heather Lands development will reflect our culture through the buildings, plants, artwork, water features and use of our language.
More about the AHI
The Attainable Housing Initiative (AHI) will see approximately 2,600 homes being built at the Heather Lands. The initiative was proposed by MST Nations as a meaningful way for the Nations to harness economic, cultural and social benefits from their land holdings by strategically partnering with other levels of government.
