First Nations On-Reserve Housing: Building the Future

Mohawks of the members, learning from their mistakes Of the nearly 800 homes in Tyendinaga, Bay of Quinte — and gaining community support. about 375 are mortgaged, 120 are Housing Program building Through inspired leadership, the rental units, and 305 are funded a Better Quality of Life program has stayed in the forefront independently or owned by band of leading-edge, energy-efficient members. In fact, home ownership For a single mother moving back to construction technology. has been so successful on the reserve, the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, the that nearly 85 per cent of all homes prospect of finding a rental unit she “Having control over our own are owned by band members. In could afford was worrisome. However, resources,” according to Chris Maracle, the R-2000 subdivision, there are she was thrilled with the three-bedroom Director of the band’s housing program, now 51 units including triplex, bungalow she now rents. “It is good, “was a key factor in being able to put four-plex, and three-bedroom clean affordable housing,” she said our innovative housing program on bungalows, and houses designed for enthusiastically. In fact, the unit is the energy-efficient path.” The band people with physical disabilities. one of the award-winning, energy- was able to improve housing by adding efficient, high-quality social housing finished basements, high-efficiency gas And the economic benefits of the units the band has built over the past furnaces and heat-recovery ventilation housing program are visible. The dozen years. “I have never seen this systems. Residents saw their energy builders, carpenters, painters and quality of social housing on a First bills decrease up to 40 per cent. The electricians are in such demand that Nations reserve. The council should band went further and established a they all work nearly year-round — on be congratulated for having these construction crew that became R-2000 and off the reserve. The housing policy homes available to band members who certified. This allowed them to build itself helps stimulate the local economy, are in financial difficulty,” she said. homes using leading-edge, energy- bringing more money into the reserve. efficient construction standards. It has helped lower-income families The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte own their own homes. If hard times have achieved great success with Since then, the housing department hit, the program is flexible enough to their housing program. It not only has collected numerous awards, allow mortgages to be renegotiated. features home ownership and including Canada’s only national social housing, but also energy- energy-efficiency award for housing. The word has spread across Canada efficient home construction. By 2006, the housing department about the band’s innovative housing had built 60 energy-efficient units program. The housing department It was not an overnight achievement. that were either rented or sold to regularly transfers its knowledge about Their success has been won through band members. These units include the program and how to economically hard work, listening to band five “granny flats” for Elders. use R-2000 construction techniques. “We show other First Nations through Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte presentations, videos and our Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Population: 2,200 publications that home ownership Housing Asset Value: $25,000,000 programs work,” says Mr. Maracle. Number of units: 800 homes: 375 under mortgage, 120 rental units, “We share our belief that these 305 owned by occupants programs have great potential to Key partners: develop healthy communities and social Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and economic opportunities.” Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Health Canada Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation BMO Bank of Montreal Loyalist College First Nations Technical Institute, Belleville Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs Supporting policies: MBQ Rental Regime Policy, MBQ Housing Construction Standards and Guidelines Financing vehicles/arrangements: BMO Bank of Montreal On-Reserve Housing Loan Program Home ownership training: First Nation provides half-day orientation session for new home buyers

Contact: Chris Maracle, MBQ, Director, Housing, Parks and Property Maintenance (613) 396-3424, ext. 105