Government of Canada Helps to Close the Housing Gaps by Investing in First Nation Communities

OTTAWA, Nov. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, on National Housing Day, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, announced important investments in First Nation housing.

The Government of Canada is committed to addressing urgent housing needs on reserve. This fiscal year, through investments in Budget 2016, close to 6,000 homes will be built, renovated or retrofitted to improve the quality of life for First Nations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has now allocated $268 million this year for 956 First Nation-led projects that will support the construction, renovation and service of 3,174 homes across Canada. This is part of $829 million in targeted funding for First Nation community infrastructure. These planned allocations are over and above core funding for First Nation communities. 

CMHC has committed $64 million this fiscal year to renovate and retrofit over 2,800 homes and has committed $3.7 million for skills and capacity development to 324 First Nation communities.

These investments are a first step. This is why the Government is engaging with First Nations and other partners to develop an effective long-term approach to support on-reserve housing, and to contribute to a broader National Housing Strategy.

Quotes

"Safe and secure housing is essential to better health, education and economic outcomes for all Canadians. Our government is committed to work Nation-to-Nation and Inuit to Crown on long term, community-driven solutions to ensure that all Indigenous people are properly housed."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P., 
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"Indigenous people in Canada often face significant housing challenges compared to the general population. Our government is committed to help improve living conditions for First Nation families on reserve and working closely with First Nation communities, other federal partners, provinces and territories and First Nation organizations to develop a plan that will help to address their housing needs."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $554.3 million over two years starting in 2016-2017 to address urgent housing needs on-reserve.
• Of this amount, $416.6 million will be provided through INAC.
• An additional $137.7 million will come from CMHC to support the renovation and retrofit of existing housing on reserve.
• As part of this, CMHC is providing $10 million for skills and capacity development for the design, construction, inspection and overall management of housing on-reserve.

Associated Links

• Budget 2016: A Better Future for Indigenous Peoples
• Housing for Indigenous peoples
• Minister Bennett Highlights Major Investments in First Nation Community Infrastructure
• On-Reserve Housing Reform Engagement 2016

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 819-997-0002; Emilie Gauduchon-Campbell, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160; Jonathan Rotondo, Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 613-748-2734