b'COVER STORYA LONG-TERM SOLUTION that end, Friesen says materials andreserve, but also pride in our members The initial goal of the Rapid Housingfinishes were selected that were not onlythat they are truly a part of theProject was to provide transitionalaesthetically pleasing, but also durablerebuild process.housing for those affected by the fires.and would reduce future maintenance The quality of the houses going upcosts for homeowners.Indeed, SRM employees and project today, however, also ensures theyllpartners have significant ties to the become a permanent part of theIt was important that the homesSkwlax community. Delorey notes communitys housing stock. Each houseare very energy efficient, he adds.that neary 45 per cent of every dollar is built on a durable concrete crawlspaceThey were designed and built to notfor the project is contracted through foundation with an emphasis on long- only meet but exceed the minimuma Skwlax or Skwlax member-owned term safety, comfort and sustainability.standards as prescribed in the BCbusiness, and roughly 50 per cent of Paradigms modular homes, for example,Building and Energy Codes, reducingthe workforce throughout the project have been built to achieve BC Stepthe homeowners concerns as theyis Indigenous and made up of mostly Code 5 Energy Efficiency certificationpertain to monthly operating costs. Skwlax and other Secwpemc band and comprise sustainable materials (e.g.,members. As such, the Rapid Housing carbon-negative cellulose insulation,REBUILDING A COMMUNITY Project carries a deep significance for hardwood fibreboard exterior rigidall: Part of our core focus and mandate material, paper-based vapour barriers),Its been over a year since the Bushis capacity building and mentorship as well as highly mould-resistant wallsCreek East fire devastated the Skwlax and career building. So when you look and fire-resistant materials.te Secwepemculecw community. And though families are still on the pathat how many community members The Paradigm homes will provideto healing, the collaborative efforts ofare involved in this project, there is many long-lasting benefits to theSRM, Skwlax te Secwepemcul ecw anda circular economy aspect that adds community, and since this is a firethe Rapid Housing Project partners arean entirely different level of benefits rebuild, we wanted to ensure that wehelping them rebuild. and value to this project, Skwlax te used as many fire-resistant materialsSecwepemcul ecw and us all. as possible, including fibre cementSRMs contributions to the rebuild cladding and metal roofs, have been immense, and it goes handYou can see the pride among the explains Gruner. in hand with our bands desire to be apeople working on the project every part of the rebuild process, says Kukpi7day, he adds. This project confirms Freeports modular homes are alsoTomma. It gives not only the SRMwhat capacity building can really do for made with long-term use in mind. Toemployees pride in helping rebuild thea First Nation.38 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'