Premier David Eby toured the Ken'ulh K'it Yikh housing development in Smithers on July 31. The project, funded via BC Housing, aims to provide culturally safe homes for Indigenous residents in British Columbia's northwest.
41 Units and 100 Applications at 1611 Main Street
The Ken'ulh K'it Yikh project, located at 1611 Main Street in Smithers, is nearing completion with residents expected to move in by early fall. According to the report, the development consists of 41 units, yet the demand has already far outstripped supply, with more than 100 applications submitted to date.
The facility is managed through the efforts of the Dze L K'ant Housing Society and the Dze L K'ant Friendship Centre Society. By providing a concentrated hub of affordable living, the project attempts to address the chronic shortage of secure housing in the region, though the high application volume suggests that the current scale of development only scratches the surface of the local need.
Cultural Safety and Intergenerational Design for Dze L K'ant Families
Beyond simple shelter, the Ken'ulh K'it Yikh building is designed to integrate cultural identity and accessibility. As reported, the site features Indigenous art and a professionally landscaped area that includes a children's playground inspired by cultural themes. To ensure the building is inclusive for all ages, the design includes two elevators and a back-up generator for reliability.
Lydia Howard, the Economic Development Officer and Housing Advisor for the Dze L K'ant Friendship Centre Society, highlighted that the inclusion of three and four-bedroom suites is a strategic choice . These larger units are intended to support intergenerational living, allowing Indigenous families to remain together and maintain traditional support structures while residing in a modern facility funded by BC Housing's Indigenous Housing Fund.
The Northwest Tour from Prince Rupert to Hazelton
The visit to Smithers was part of a broader regional circuit that saw Premier David Eby visiting Prince Rupert, Terrace, and Hazelton. This tour underscores a recurring tension in British Columbia's northwest: the gap between aggressive industrial expansion and the availability of basic infrastructure. Premier David Eby noted that housing remains a dominant hurdle, whether the issue is absolute homelessness or general affordability.
This regional focus is critical because the northwest is currently a hub for high-impact economic activity. Premier David Eby emphasized the need to consult local leaders regarding the effects of major energy projects, mining, metals, critical minerals, and port expansions. Without sufficient housing like the Ken'ulh K'it Yikh project, the workforce required for these industrial booms often displaces local residents or struggles to find stable accommodation, exacerbating the affordability crisis.
A Razor-Thin Majority and the Smithers Housing Gap
While the tour served as a showcase for successful Indigenous-led development, it also highlighted the political fragility of the current administration. Premier David Eby explicitly mentioned the challenges of conducting regional outreach while managing a "razor-thin majority" in the legislature, suggesting that the political cost of these tours is weighed against the necessity of local engagement.
However, several critical questions remain regarding the scalability of these efforts. While the 41 units at 1611 Main Street are a victory for the Dze L K'ant community, the report leaves it unclear how the province intends to support the remaining 60+ applicants who were not accommodated... Furthermore, there is no specific timeline provided for subsequent phases of funding from the Indigenous Housing Fund to address the wider deficit across the Prince Rupert and Hazelton corridors.
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