Enoch Cree Nation breaks ground on 166 homes, with 350 families waiting

Enoch Cree Nation broke ground Friday on a new neighbourhood of about 166 homes, the first phase of more than 500 planned for members in the coming years.

The nation says at least 350 families are on waiting lists for housing. The homes will be leased only to Enoch members at affordable rates, with options for larger households and smaller homes for elders.

The Canadian Infrastructure Bank has lent the nation $30 million to service the land, covering roads, water and sewer systems, utilities, site preparation and solar panel installations. The broader development is funded by the First Nations Finance Authority.

Four home builders are working on the project. Akash Homes, led by Brian Watters, began construction in September, according to the company. Its first homes are expected around March, with the rest available around July and August. Its designs include a four-bedroom duplex and a two-storey, five-bedroom single-family home, both with finished basements and at least three bathrooms.

"There's an opportunity to come home and be closer to our family and our ancestors," Chief Cody Thomas said. He called the project "a game changer" and said the framework could be replicated by other First Nations across Canada. Coun. Ron Morin Jr. told the crowd other nations facing housing problems could do something similar.

Thomas also said the homes were not the typical Section 95 on-reserve non-profit style. "These aren't the typical Section 95 cookie-cutter style homes," he said.

It also does not say what "affordable" means in dollars, or whether the 350-family waiting list counts unique families.