Burns Lake Motor Inn

Illustrative rendering of Burns Lake Motor Inn redevelopment

This drawing is an approximation of what we intend to construct on the site and is subject to change.

BC Housing, the Village of Burns Lake and Gramma’s House Society have been working together to create homes with supports for members of the community who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The proposed project would serve members of Lake Babine Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band), Skin Tyee Band, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation and the Nee Tahi Buhn Band, as well as residents of the Village of Burns Lake.

Community Engagement

BC Housing and Lake Babine Nation hosted an online community engagement session on Monday, August 24 at 6:30pm to learn more about the proposal for the new supportive housing, have your questions answered, and provide feedback to the project team. We want to hear from you about how to ensure the success of supportive housing in the community. All input before and including August 26, 2020 will be collected and shared with the Village of Burns Lake as part of the rezoning application process.

Project Details

The proposal is to repurpose the current Burns Lake Motor Inn located at 149 BC-16 in Burns Lake to meet critical community housing needs.

The building would be operated by Gramma’s House Society and would include:

  • 44 one-bedroom units (including 3 accessible units)
  • full kitchens and bathrooms within the units to encourage self-sufficiency
  • lounge area, dining room, quiet study room, staff office and a community room
  • 24/7 on-site staffing

In addition to a home, residents would also have access to wrap around services such as life skills training, education and health, that would assist them to build their life and employment skills and to support their journey to wellness.

The project is now at the rezoning stage with the Village of Burns Lake. Rezoning is required so we can provide long-term housing in the building.

Your feedback and comments are important to us

We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A tool or by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.

This drawing is an approximation of what we intend to construct on the site and is subject to change.

BC Housing, the Village of Burns Lake and Gramma’s House Society have been working together to create homes with supports for members of the community who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The proposed project would serve members of Lake Babine Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band), Skin Tyee Band, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation and the Nee Tahi Buhn Band, as well as residents of the Village of Burns Lake.

Community Engagement

BC Housing and Lake Babine Nation hosted an online community engagement session on Monday, August 24 at 6:30pm to learn more about the proposal for the new supportive housing, have your questions answered, and provide feedback to the project team. We want to hear from you about how to ensure the success of supportive housing in the community. All input before and including August 26, 2020 will be collected and shared with the Village of Burns Lake as part of the rezoning application process.

Project Details

The proposal is to repurpose the current Burns Lake Motor Inn located at 149 BC-16 in Burns Lake to meet critical community housing needs.

The building would be operated by Gramma’s House Society and would include:

  • 44 one-bedroom units (including 3 accessible units)
  • full kitchens and bathrooms within the units to encourage self-sufficiency
  • lounge area, dining room, quiet study room, staff office and a community room
  • 24/7 on-site staffing

In addition to a home, residents would also have access to wrap around services such as life skills training, education and health, that would assist them to build their life and employment skills and to support their journey to wellness.

The project is now at the rezoning stage with the Village of Burns Lake. Rezoning is required so we can provide long-term housing in the building.

Your feedback and comments are important to us

We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A tool or by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.

Have a question or comment? Write below.

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  • 1. If there isn't enough people in Burns Lake to fill the 44 rooms, will they bring in homeless people from other towns to fill the rooms. 2. What is the annual operating budget going to be & how will that be funded?

    CA asked about 4 years ago

    There is a critical need for supportive housing in the Six Nations and the Village of Burns Lake that people may not see as they go about their day-to-day lives but that we know exists. People could be living in remote areas and isolated communities or could be in precarious situations that are not immediately visible. There are also people from the community experiencing homelessness in other northern communities, such as Prince George and Smithers, who may wish to return home if housing is available to them. 

    Priority will be given to house people experiencing or at risk of homelessness from seven communities: Lake Babine Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band), Skin Tyee Band, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation and the Nee Tahi Buhn Band, as well as residents of the Village of Burns Lake.

    The budget is being developed and is not finalized. The cost of operations is a subsidy provided by BCH to the operator and includes staff, meals and utilities and life skills programming. Budgets are reviewed and revised annually.


  • Will this service be available to all residents of the Lakes District, i.e. indigenous and non-indigenous people?

    Bernice asked over 4 years ago

    The proposed building would house all people experiencing or at risk of homelessness from seven communities: Lake Babine Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band), Skin Tyee Band, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation and the Nee Tahi Buhn Band, as well as residents of the Village of Burns Lake.

  • What happens to the staff employed there in Housekeeping.

    Flori asked over 4 years ago

    We know these are tough times to lose a job. The operators of the Burns Lake Motor Inn have the obligation to engage with their employees on the changes and the way forward. BC Housing would work with the employer to see what support we can provide.

  • I think this is wonderful and extremely necessary for our community. I was not aware that this idea was in the works, my immediate concern upon this first read was 1. More accessible units as our population is aging and few good options for senior housing and 2. Those living at risk (drugs/alcoholism) would benefit from a room or space to gather and have activities to have a sense of community and wellness. Could there be a safe gathering space !? And a need for harm reduction supplies and needle drop off so area is kept clean and safe. I am super excited to hear this

    Lor20 asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your message and your support of this project. The housing will be comprised of 44 self-contained one-bedroom units, including 3 accessible units, as well as a large lounge area, dining room, heat room and a community room. 

    Programs and services for the housing have been selected to build residents’ skills and to support healing, skills development and pre-employment skills. Programs provided will fall under the following services categories: life skills; employment and training; and meals.

    Your input will be included in a report to Village Council as part of the municipal process.

  • Is this a seniors home if it was that would be great but if it isn’t... not sure if anyone would be happy

    Shilo asked over 4 years ago

    This proposed development will house those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This may include seniors, people with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use.

  • Very needed in the area. 100% support this project :)

    SarahG asked about 4 years ago

    Thank you for your message and your support of this project. Your input has been noted and will be included in a report to Village Council as part of the municipal process.

  • I am so glad to hear of this!!! It is so needed and a great location too!

    Morgan asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your message and your support of this project. Your input has been noted and will be included in a report to Village Council as part of the municipal process.

  • I think this is the best idea that Burns Lake has had in years. Homelessness and lack of affordable housing is a huge issue in the village and is long past needing to be addressed. You can count on my support.

    Tech Guy asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your message and your support of this project. Your input has been noted and will be included in a report to Village Council as part of the municipal process.

  • Nice to see collaboration within all the Bands. A great idea

    Bev asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your message and your support of this project. Your input has been noted and will be included in a report to Village Council as part of the municipal process.

  • Would it be for like homeless people also and including MEN because we have enough women’s shelters 🤷‍♀️

    Jenara Tom asked over 4 years ago

    This proposed development will house people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Page last updated: 09 Mar 2022, 03:18 PM