New Homes open for Wasauksing First Nation

PARRY SOUND, ON, Oct. 16 /CNW/ - Wasauksing First Nation celebrated the grand opening of a $1.2 million project with seven housing units today. Chief Shane Tabobondung was joined by community and guests to officially open the residence.

"The Government of Canada is committed to creating safe and affordable housing for Aboriginal people in Ontario and across the country," said the Honourable Tony Clement , Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley , Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "These new units provide more affordable housing options for Wasauksing individuals, elders and families, and this is important for the social well-being of the community."

CMHC provided a housing loan of $525,000 to facilitate the construction of this development and committed to housing subsidies estimated at $1.1 Million disbursed over 25 years. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provided $175,000 for lot servicing and Wasauksing First Nation provided equity in the amount of $478,975 .

"Social Housing is a high priority in Wasauksing. This Project was jointly funded by CMHC, INAC, and WFN, and is a constructive demonstration of Canada and Wasauksing collaborating on Infrastructure for our community," said Wasauksing First Nation Chief Shane Tabobondung.

CMHC's On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing Program assists First Nations in the construction, purchase, rehabilitation and administration of affordable on-reserve housing, and provides subsidies to assist with the administration of adequate, suitable and affordable housing for First Nations people living on-reserve. The Government of Canada provides approximately $270 million in on-reserve funding each year to address housing need.

In April, the Government of Canada announced, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, that it is providing $400 million in additional funding over the next two years to support on-reserve housing. These funds are dedicated to new social housing projects, the remediation of existing social housing and complementary housing activities through programming from CMHC and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). This funding will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and rural areas by creating jobs, developing skilled trades and supporting small businesses.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

For further information: Michelle Bakos, Office of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, [phone]; Robert Tabobandung, Director of Operations, Wasauksing First Nation, [phone] ext. 2239; Nicole Burgers, Consultant, Communications & Marketing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [phone]