Sandy Lake First Nation gets $2.9M to build 10 new houses under Economic Action Plan
Press release
Canada's Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Housing on Reserve in Ontario
August 26, 2010 - The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $3.8 million as part of the year one funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for seven First Nations communities in Ontario.
Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.
"Our Government's Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Ontario," said MP Stanton.
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, some $65 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Ontario to address immediate housing needs.
Specifically, CMHC allocated more than $925,000 to retrofit 59 existing housing units on-reserve in six Ontario communities, as well as $2,900,000 for subsidy associated with 10 new housing units to be constructed in Sandy Lake First Nation.
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.
INVESTMENT TO IMPROVE ON-RESERVE SOCIAL HOUSING
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations through targeted investments to build and renovate housing. Today's announcement is the latest in a series of commitments by the federal government to improve housing conditions in First Nations communities.
This commitment is in addition to the federal government's annual investment, through Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), of approximately $277 million for on-reserve housing needs, and INAC's investment of approximately $118 million annually for First Nations on-reserve in the form of shelter allowance payments under the Income Assistance Program.
Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has provided $400 million over two years to support on-reserve housing. Of the $400 million committed, $250 million will be delivered through CMHC over two years for the creation of new on-reserve housing ($125 million) and the repair and renovation of existing federally-assisted on-reserve social housing ($125 million). The remaining $150 million will be delivered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for lot servicing, renovations, new construction of high-density multi-unit dwellings, and renovations to support the conversion of band-owned housing to private ownership.
In 2007, the Government invested $300 million in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which encourages market-based housing on-reserve.
Investment to Improve On-Reserve Social Housing
Funding Breakdown – Seven Ontario First Nation Communities
Beausoleil
Total CEAP Contribution: $ 603,500
Retrofit: $ 603,500 (27 units)
Chippewas of Georgina Island
Total CEAP Contribution: $ 75,000
Retrofit: $ 75,000 (5 units)
Chippewas of Rama
Total CEAP Contribution: $ 90,745
Retrofit: $ 90,745 (10 units)
M'Chigeeng
Total CEAP Contribution: $ 73,341
Retrofit: $ 73,341 (10 units)
Ojibways of Onigaming
Total CEAP Contribution: $ 62,800
Retrofit: $ 62,800 (5 units)
Sandy Lake
Total CEAP Contribution: $ 2,900,000
New Construction : $ 2, 900,000 (10 units)
Rainy River
Total CEAP Contribution : $ 20,500
Retrofit : $ 20,500 (2 units)