New Elders Residence Opens for Moravian of the Thames First Nation

THAMESVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 21, 2011) - The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) celebrated with the Moravian of the Thames First Nation (Delaware Nation), the official opening of a new six-unit elder complex.

"The Government of Canada is committed to creating safe and affordable housing for Aboriginal people in Ontario and across the country," said Kathryn Campbell, Manager, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Centre, CMHC. "This project provides area elders with access to safe, quality housing at an affordable cost."

CMHC provided a housing loan of $768,000 to facilitate the construction of the elder residence with an annual subsidy of $69,620 towards operational costs through the On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing Program.

"We are pleased to have been a funding partner in this project," said Minister John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "Our government recognizes that access to safe and affordable housing is essential for healthy, sustainable First Nation communities."

INAC contributed $200,000 in funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan toward the construction of this facility.

"This is the first opportunity that the Delaware Nation has been involved with CMHC and we're very pleased with the working relationship that we have formed," said Chief Greg Peters. "Working together, we have completed a structure that will enhance the quality of living for our residents. We look forward to any future projects with CMHC."

CMHC's On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing Program assists First Nations in the purchase, construction, rehabilitation and administration of affordable on-reserve rental housing, and provides subsidies for First Nations people living on-reserve. The Government of Canada provides approximately $277 million in on-reserve funding each year to address housing need.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help over 495 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.

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

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.