KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 16, 2011) - The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced today an investment of more than $5.3 million as part of the year two funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for 49 First Nation communities in the Northern and Southern Regions of British Columbia.
The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, 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 along with members of the Westbank First Nation community.
"Year two of Canada's Economic Action Plan demonstrates that our Government remains committed to improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in British Columbia," said Minister Day. "Today's investment will provide quality, affordable housing while creating jobs and stimulating the local economy."
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help close to 500 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 is also providing an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.
Some $63 million in federal investments through Canada's Economic Action Plan will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.
Specifically, CMHC will allocate more than $5,350,000 to renovate and retrofit 460 housing units on-reserve in the Northern and Southern Regions of British Columbia. A breakdown of this funding can be found in the attached backgrounder.
"The retrofit of these homes is a step toward addressing our longstanding housing needs while helping us build housing for our community," said Chief Robert Louie on behalf of the Westbank First Nation. "These projects represent major life changes for families here On-Reserve – and this opportunity would not have been possible without the support of the Government of Canada and our community would like to thank them."
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.
Backgrounder attached.
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 is being 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 is being 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.
Funding Breakdown, Northern and Southern Regions of British Columbia First Nation Communities
| First Nation | Units | CEAP Retrofit Funding |
| Adams Lake | 14 | $111,184 |
| Akisqnuk | 7 | $77,266 |
| Canim Lake | 23 | $185,669 |
| Canoe Creek | 9 | $120,874 |
| Coldwater | 15 | $109,900 |
| Doig River | 20 | $162,345 |
| Esketemc | 7 | $109,845 |
| Gitanmaax | 5 | $89,391 |
| Gitanyow | 12 | $126,007 |
| Gitwangak | 9 | $129,895 |
| Gitsegukla | 6 | $108,723 |
| Gitxaala | 7 | $118,035 |
| Halfway River | 6 | $52,901 |
| Heiltsuk | 7 | $127,838 |
| Iskut | 7 | $123,850 |
| Kamloops | 8 | $109,923 |
| Kispiox | 9 | $108,000 |
| Kitasoo | 7 | $126,000 |
| Kwadacha | 7 | $121,700 |
| Lake Babine | 7 | $109,900 |
| Lax Kwalaams | 8 | $99,660 |
| Laxgalts'ap | 9 | $126,000 |
| Lheidlitenneh | 15 | $112,252 |
| Lower Nicola | 7 | $106,375 |
| Lower Similkameen | 6 | $59,271 |
| Mcleod Lake | 9 | $109,619 |
| Nak'azdli | 6 | $109,219 |
| Nazko | 4 | $51,831 |
| Neskonlith | 5 | $71,426 |
| Nooaitch | 7 | $93,035 |
| Nuxalk Nation | 8 | $116,300 |
| Okanagan IB | 7 | $90,777 |
| Samahquam | 9 | $107,197 |
| Sikedakh (Glen Vowell) | 6 | $79,140 |
| Skeetchestn | 19 | $110,200 |
| Skidegate | 17 | $182,242 |
| Soda Creek | 11 | $101,400 |
| St Mary's | 9 | $118,672 |
| Tahltan | 7 | $148,359 |
| Tl'azt'en | 7 | $113,279 |
| Tl'etinqox-t'in | 9 | $112,888 |
| Toosey | 8 | $109,200 |
| Upper Nicola | 9 | $81,485 |
| Upper Similkameen | 14 | $95,022 |
| West Moberly | 11 | $130,362 |
| Westbank | 18 | $102,722 |
| Williams Lake | 10 | $109,000 |
| Yekooche | 4 | $72,000 |
| Yunest'in (Stone) | 9 | $109,900 |
| Total | 460 | $5,358,083 |
Contact Information: CMHC
Tracy Wells
Communications
604-737-4162
or
CMHC
Charles Sauriol
Media Relations
613-748-2799
or
Office of Minister Finley
Ryan Sparrow
Director of Communications
819-994-2482