Housing a priority for AFN

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Aboriginal politicians, Elders and people with experience in the building trades all say that inadequate housing is at the root of many, perhaps even most, of the social, economic and health problems that plague First Nation communities.

But politics of all kinds have complicated the housing issue, even though most people would agree that it's too important a matter with which to play games.

Housing issues were highlighted in the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Getting Results Agenda. The AFN requested that "the federal government support our work in developing a strategy for creating a self-sustaining housing system on our lands."

In the AFN's pre-budget submission (PBS) to the Department of Finance, an entire chapter was dedicated to housing.

"First Nation citizens have consistently identified addressing the shortage of quality housing as a top priority. There is currently a shortage of 8,500 units and 44 per cent of existing houses on our lands require renovations. Given the current rate of construction and our growing population, this housing shortage will widen over the medium-term," the submission stated. "Inadequate housing is contributing to many social and economic problems. The lack of quality housing contributes to social problems such as child poverty, suicide, low educational attainment, alcoholism, and family breakdowns."

National Chief Phil Fontaine's plan called for taking steps to create housing markets on First Nation lands that will improve the ability of First Nation citizens to buy and sell homes. That would require the creation or expansion of innovative programs that would provide access to cash loans.

The PBS stated that such a move would "provide qualified owners with a larger stake in home maintenance and community improvement" and "create the institutional means to impart home maintenance skills; and improve the First Nations' institutional capacity for delivering aspects of home and community maintenance."

Fontaine told finance officials that local and national institutions would need to be created in order to improve the dismal housing situation on reserve.

He also said that an expenditure of $600 million over the next three years would "lead to 3,000 more homes being built and 3,000 additional homes being renovated."

Some blame the housing problem on reserves in part to the lack of separation between the politicians and the public service in First Nation governments. It is a matter of speculation just how often abuses occur. Critics say it happens a lot; supporters of chief and councils say it doesn't happen nearly as much as some would think.

Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault was asked about housing issues during a conference call with Aboriginal reporters on Nov. 12.

Nault doesn't believe private land ownership is the only answer to the housing problem.

"I don't believe that the fact that First Nation property are lands that are held in common or held in trust by the Crown for First Nation citizens is an impediment to creating private housing and private ownership on reserve. That is not the case and, in fact, there are many First Nations, including Six Nations (in Ontario), where there is private ownership that exists. There are many certificates of possession out West where individuals own their own housing. And so, I think that does exist," he said.

Nault said the future will see less federal responsibility for housing.

"First Nations have to take more responsibility and control over the housing stock and not expect the government of Canada to be the total funder of housing because that is not the position of the government nor do I believe it will be in the future," he said.