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VANCOUVER ISLAND — A Vancouver Island-based industrial partnership has been formed to explore how forestry resources, Indigenous partnership and international expertise can support faster housing delivery in B.C.

Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, Western Forest Products, Centurion Lumber Manufacturing, Wing International and We Wai Kai Nation have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to assess the approach for developing a modular housing manufacturing initiative that’s intended to lead to the delivery of affordable housing, with a focus on Indigenous and underserved communities.

According to a release, the initiative envisions a vertically integrated “fibre-to-housing” model combining locally sourced forest products, advanced prefabrication and sustainable energy solutions including the integration of solar panel systems.

Through a jointly supported feasibility study and planning process, the partners will evaluate market demand, technical and operational requirements, a partnership structure and implementation pathways.

“The project also has the potential to strengthen British Columbia’s forestry value chain by linking local wood supply to housing production, supporting regional job creation, workforce development, and raising the potential for export development through a more resilient domestic manufacturing base,” the release reads. “By exploring a scalable modular housing platform on Vancouver Island, the partners aim to contribute to how Canada can build homes faster while delivering lasting economic benefits in the communities where they are most needed.”