Drawing symbol of a family in a house. Mortgage loan. Providing the population with the possibility of acquiring real estate. Preferential programs of cheap housing for young families. Unit of society

Students studying at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) in Merritt B.C. will soon have access to more on-campus housing and child care. As B.C.’s only public Indigenous post-secondary institution, housing geared to families is currently lacking. The project will include 12 townhouses for primarily Indigenous families, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom units to accommodate students and family members. This will bring the total number of student beds on the NVIT Merritt campus to 110.

“I know that secure and affordable housing is crucial for students who have families and want to pursue post-secondary studies,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “By creating dedicated housing for families on campus, more students will be able to fully engage in their educational journey with their loved ones there to support them. This project is part of the Province’s historic investment in student housing, with over 10,700 beds built or underway since 2017.”

Set to open by fall 2027,  the housing project aligns with the Eagle’s Perch concept, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge with “culturally grounded design.” The project aims to reinforce NVIT’s commitment to creating a space where Indigenous learners can thrive, while staying connected to their families, traditions and the land.

“I’ve been a student at NVIT for two years and it’s been a truly rewarding experience,” said Keisha Munro, president, Student Society at NVIT. “With the new housing building and expanded child care services under construction, I’m really looking forward to the future for students and their families. This new facility will provide much-needed support for students facing housing difficulties, helping them focus on their studies and achieve success.”

The Province of B.C. has provided $19.6 million toward this project, which will feature an expanded child care facility and program spaces to train early childhood educators. It will also include mobile training trailers to provide Indigenous communities with hands-on training for those working in technology and health care throughout the province.

In addition, the B.C. government has provided approximately $20 million to support NVIT since 2017, including funding for a new green heating and cooling system ($4.9 million), a Centre of Excellence in Sustainability of Green Technology ($10.2 million) and two mobile training trailers ($3.9 million). The centre, which opened in fall 2018, includes a green lab, roof training area, greenhouse, culinary kitchen, classrooms, office space, gymnasium and flexible event space.

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