17 Affordabvle Rental Homes Delivered to shíshálh Nation Through Innovative Home Relocation Project

For Immediate Release February 9, 2026

Vancouver, B.C. — Seventeen units of affordable, below-market rental housing have now been fully turned over to members of the shíshálh Nation, marking the completion of a groundbreaking and internationally recognized housing project on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast.

Like many communities across British Columbia and Canada, the shíshálh Nation has been experiencing a housing crisis. This project not only addresses the housing needs of this community, it also puts an emphasis on local economic development. Approximately 70 per cent of those who worked on the project came via shíshálh Nation entrepreneurs, supporting skills training and employment within the Indigenous community.

“This project is about more than housing — it’s about creating opportunity and strengthening our community,” says lhe hiwus (Chief) yalxwemult Lenora Joe. “By partnering with organizations that respect our traditions, culture and priorities, we have delivered much-needed homes for our members while creating jobs, building skills, and investing directly in the future of our Nation.” 

Renewal Development spearheaded this project by rescuing ten homes that were slated for demolition in Port Moody to make way for new community planning. The company worked with Vancouver developer Wesgroup to take the homes by truck and barge to the Sunshine Coast. 

Once on site, the homes were retrofitted, modestly modernized, and repurposed to improve energy efficiency, durability, and comfort. To further increase housing supply, new basements were constructed beneath the relocated homes, expanding the total number of units delivered on the site to 17 rental homes. 

“Every year, roughly 700 good high-value homes are demolished across British Columbia to make space for higher density development. These good homes should be relocated, modernized and repurposed from growing urban areas to remote communities in need. This innovative housing solution, once replicated and scaled, can be part of the solution to our housing and climate crises,” says Glyn Lewis, CEO and Founder of Renewal Development. “This project shows what’s possible when we rescue and relocate quality buildings, work in partnership with First Nations, and invest in local people. It’s a model that delivers affordability, climate resilience, and community benefit all at once.”

The environmental benefits were also substantial, diverting approximately 1,000,000 kilograms of material from local landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 230,000 kilograms over a 60-year lifecycle.

“Through this collaboration, we were able to advance a new community that will ultimately house thousands of people, while ensuring existing homes continued to serve a meaningful purpose,” says Dean Johnson, Senior Vice President of Development at Wesgroup. “Projects like this show how thoughtful development and strong partnerships can increase housing supply, reduce waste, and deliver real community outcomes.”

This project attracted international recognition for demonstrating sustainability in prefabricated housing construction at the prestigious International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia in 2025. That same year, the Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase awarded CEO Glyn Lewis with the “Champion for Indigenous Reconciliation” award for his work on the project.

About Renewal Development

Renewal Development was established in 2020 with a unique vision: to rescue, relocate, and repurpose good single-family homes from growing urban areas to non-urban communities. Breaking new ground with our innovative approach, Renewal has introduced a revolutionary business model to the housing industry.

Media Contact:

Robin Gill

Communications Consultant

robin@robingill.ca

About shíshálh Nation

The shíshálh Nation is a governing entity dedicated to stewarding and protecting the relationship between our shíshálh people and the lands and resources of our swiya (birthplace, land, “territory”). We carry out this work in ways that enhance our way of life, promote self-sufficiency, and uphold our customary laws, Rights and Titles, international legal standards and common law. The swiya of the shíshálh people lies between Queens Reach in lekw’emin (Jervis Inlet) and Howe Sound on the south coast of British Columbia. The shíshálh people come from four main tribes: sxixus (with main village at kalpilin), ts’unay (with main village at ts’unay), xenichen (with main village at the head of lekw’emin), and tewankw (with main village at slhalt). Learn more by visiting shishalh.com.

Media Contact:

shishalhcommunications@shishalh.com

About Wesgroup

Wesgroup is one of Western Canada’s largest home builders. From master-planned communities to commercial spaces and town centres, we develop, build, own and manage premier commercial and residential properties that set new standards in quality, user experience and environmental responsibility. We are a vertically integrated company that encompasses construction, land acquisition, finance, design, leasing, marketing, sales and property management. Our mission is to connect people with genuine opportunities that enrich their daily lives. Since our founding almost 70 years ago, we have created more than 100 communities across the Lower Mainland. www.wesgroup.ca

Media Contact: 

Georgie Couling

Communications Manager

georgie.couling@wesgroup.ca