Improvements to reserve housing "demonstrated" by First Nations people

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Up to 60 First Nations will take part in house demonstrations projects

of their own creation to help improve housing conditions on reserve.

The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) has

reallocated $10 million from its existing 1995-1196 budgets to fund the

projects, in an effort to explore new ways to address pressing housing

concerns in First Nations communities.

"First Nations must gain control over housing projects and use local

resources to make the most efficient use of their existing budgets,"

said Dr. Bernard Patry, parliamentary secretary to the minster of Indian

Affairs and Northern Development. First Nations from across the country

have sent us creative proposals to improve housing conditions in their

communities and we've agreed to try these ideas."

"These demonstration projects high-light this government's commitment

to develop an approach to housing that emphasizes community control,

local resources, and flexibility in design and labor requirements,"

added Patry.

Over the past six months, DIAND has asked First Nations to develop

proposals to address on reserve housing conditions that use local

resources, while creating jobs and providing skills development to the

local workforce. DIAND officials have reviewed these proposals to

assess how each will increase the life expectancy of existing houses on

reserve, how they will renovate existing housing on reserve, and how

they will reduce the overcrowding of homes.

Demonstration projects are also expected to provide economic spin-offs

and links with job creation and skills development. A number of

proposals demonstrate the ability to work with private lenders like

Canadian banks.

Houses on reserve now last an average of 20 years, about half the

Canadian average. An estimated 56 per cent of all existing housing is

substandard and an Aboriginal "baby boom" now reaching adulthood has

created increased pressure to build new homes.

Each project runs for up to 10-years and will stress renovations to

existing homes, ongoing maintenance and repairs, and new house

construction. Some proposals lower housing costs by increasing the use

of local workers and materials such as timber and gravel. The

proposals also offer new job opportunities to those whose only option

has been social assistance.

Approximately 160 First nations submitted initial proposals to DIAND.

First Nations not selected in 1995-1996, as well as those who did not

submit proposals, will be eligible to apply to the program in 1996-1997.