CMHC: Pilot Project to bring new homes to Neyaashiinigmiing 27

Press Release

Neyaashiinigmiing 27, Ontario, June 28, 2018

An official groundbreaking ceremony was held today for new housing coming to Neyaashiinigmiing 27 through a unique initiative between the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce and the Government of Canada.

Community members from Neyaashiinigmiing 27 and Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce volunteers will build four, three-bedroom homes using high-quality materials. The Government of Canada is providing a loan of $712,000 to support the initiative.

Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs) and Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York, Chief Greg Nadjiwon of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Peter De Barros, Vice President, Government and Indigenous Affairs for Habitat for Humanity Canada spoke at the event.

Quick facts:

• One in five (19.4%) Aboriginal people lived in a dwelling that was in need of major repairs in 2016 according to Statistics Canada
• The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation occupy Neyaashiinigmiing 27 on the east shore of the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula on Georgian Bay.
• Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce finished construction of a single dwelling home earlier this year on Neyaashiinigmiing 27 for a Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation family, the first Habitat for Humanity house built on First Nations territory in Ontario.
• The federal government is making unprecedented, long-term investments for Indigenous-led housing. Through investments made in Budget 2017 and  Budget 2018, the Government is committing $1.5 billion over 10 years, including:

• • An additional $600 million over three years to support housing on reserve as part of a 10-year First Nations Housing Strategy that is being developed with First Nations.
  • $400 million over 10 years to support an Inuit-led housing plan in the Inuit regions of Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and Inuvialuit. This is in addition to the $240 million over 10 years announced in Budget 2017 to support housing in Nunavut, where additional funding was provided for Inuit housing.
  • $500 million over 10 years to support the Métis Nation’s housing strategy.

Quotes:

“Our Government is dedicated to working with organizations like Habitat and communities like Chippewas of Nawash to build the sort of safe, appropriate, affordable housing necessary for healthy, sustainable communities. The investments in these homes will make a real difference in the lives of these families, a place they can proudly call their own.”

“The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation is pleased to have the opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity on this exciting pilot project to provide affordable housing for our band members living on reserve. A great deal of planning and preparation has gone into creating this opportunity and we are proud to be leaders in undertaking a project of this nature. At Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation the housing numbers are more than statistics. Every day we see and deal with the issues and challenges of inadequate housing and the subsequent impacts it has on our community. Safe and secure shelter is one of the most basic human needs and we thank Habitat for Humanity and CMHC for their support in making this project happen. It is our hope that the success of this project will open doors to allow other First Nations to address the chronic housing crisis that exist across the country.”

— Greg Nadjiwon, Chief, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation

“This initiative will empower four families from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation to realize affordable homeownership, thanks to the combined efforts of the First Nation, government, private sector and Habitat for Humanity. It is a great example of what we can accomplish together. I am looking forward to many more collective efforts between Habitat for Humanity, CMHC and Indigenous communities that will allow more Indigenous families to access the benefits of affordable homeownership.”

— Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada

“Last year, we partnered with a family to complete the first Habitat for Humanity home built at Neyaashiinigmiing. There is a need for decent and affordable housing here and we’re thrilled to be working with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation once again to build even more homes – to be helping even more families.”

— Deborah Haswell, Chair of Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce’s Board of Directors

Highlights:

• Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ), the governments of Canada and Quebec are providing nearly $1.2 million for the construction of this housing project, under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
• The City of Sherbrooke is contributing close to $320,000 for the development of this project.
• Transition énergétique Québec will provide $47,340 to ensure that the building will meet Novoclimat certification standards.
• La Rive Gauche housing cooperative is contributing $20,000 to this project.
• The project received an additional $10,000 from CMHC’s Seed Funding program.
• Half of the tenants of this housing project will benefit from the Rent Supplement Program, ensuring that they will not spend more than 25% of their income on housing. This additional financial assistance of nearly $172,100 over five years will be assumed by the SHQ (90%) and the City of Sherbrooke (10%).
• In addition, the SHQ will support this project by providing a $1.5 million loan to the organization as a source of additional funding.

About CMHC and the SHQ:

• As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, follow CMHC on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• The mission of the SHQ is to meet the housing needs of Quebec residents through an integrated, sustainable approach. As a leader in the field of housing, it is recognized for its commitment to improving quality of life for many residents, its partnership with communities, its diversified service offering, its expertise and its innovative projects. Over the past year, more than 231,000 households have received assistance from the SHQ.

Michael Brewster
Office of Minister Duclos
613-220-5956
michael.brewster@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Karl Fillion
Press Officer for the Minister of Families and Minister responsible for the Estrie region
418-643-2181

Louis Longchamps
Political Advisor
Office of the MNA for Saint-François
819-565-3667

Information:

Public Affairs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
514-283-3679

Sylvain Fournier
Communications
Société d’habitation du Québec
418-643-4035, ext.1113
sylvain.fournier@shq.gouv.qc.ca

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