Ground was broken for a 56-bed supportive housing project in Hope on Wednesday morning (March 5), 15 years after the project's inception.
Dignitaries from both the District of Hope and Chawathil First Nation (CFN) attended a groundbreaking ceremony at 1275 7th Avenue, next to the Fraser Hope Lodge and Fraser Canyon Hospital (FCH).
Speakers at the brief morning ceremony shared stories about the long journey taken to reach this point in the project's creation. Chawathil Chief Norm Florence thanked the people behind the project for working with them and taking the proper steps to ensure that the ceremony took place.
The land is on Chawathil's traditional territory and a blessing was done at the site earlier in the year, by a Stó:lō elder, to ensure that the project was being done with respect to the community's ancestry and history.
After Florence spoke, eight dignitaries — from Chawathil, the district, BC Housing, Cedar Strong Prevention & Intervention Society, and Fraser Health Authority — were blanketed and invited to officially break ground at the site.
Following the ceremony, the crowd headed to the Hope Golf Club for lunch and to hear speeches from members of Cedar Strong, the district, Chawathil, BC Housing, and the Fraser Health. A member from Shxw'ow'hamel First Nation also spoke during this time, to give thanks to Chawathil First Nation and everyone else involved in bringing the project into fruition.
The project is being championed by Cedar Strong, in partnership with BC Housing and Fraser Health. It involves the creation of a 56-bed supportive housing unit, on Fraser Health’s land at the hospital, with 15 shelter beds and involves a 20-year land lease. The three-storey building would include two floors of apartment units, with lounge spaces, medical beds, offices, kitchens and the shelter beds on the main floor.
Each unit would have a kitchenette, sleeping area, dining area and full-sized washroom, and residents will pay rent. There will also be a meal program to ensure food security.
More to come.
— With files from Jessica Peters
Are you a Hope local with thoughts on this? Email a letter to the editor to kemone.moodley@hopestandard.com.
