Along with new housing, our immediate priority was to work on existing homes, safely demolish inhabitable homes and perform house shuffling to match the needs of community members (for example, one person in a one-bedroom home, and a family of four in a three-bedroom home).

As for new housing, the second issue was reporting on capital, so after four years of behind-the-scenes negotiating, we are finally able to access $1,000,000 for new housing for Dease River.

As a result, our funding has been released, and we will purchase three more tiny homes. Along with this, we are currently undergoing major renovations on three more community houses.

To facilitate these new improvements, we now have a new and very dedicated Capital Projects manager to focus on housing — Hamie Enayati. Because he is also a certified engineer, he’s also able to oversee other projects for the community at the same time.

Following complete assessments of all the houses in the community, and under the guidance of the new capitol projects manager, work has begin on the refurnishing of Duplect A and B, as well as a complete renovation of House 14. This is just the beginning of the renovation projects.