TOBIQUE
FIRST NATION, NB, June 27,
2024 /CNW/ - To help tackle the housing crisis,
we need to change how housing gets built in communities. By
focusing on increasing density and affordable housing, this will
help build more homes for Canadians at prices they can afford.
Today, the Government of Canada, Tobique
First Nation, and Bilijk First Nation announced that they
reached agreements to fast track a combined 30 housing units over
the next three years. This work will help spur the construction of
a combined total of 144 homes over the next decade.
These agreements under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), will
provide over $1.8 million to
eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster.
Tobique First Nation's Action
plan commits to six local initiatives such as updating housing
policies to empower housing staff to make faster decisions,
improving the data collection process, conducting a high-density
feasibility study to help optimize new subdivision plans, and
increasing density through alternative forms of housing and new
construction.
Bilijk First Nation's Action plan commits to six local
initiatives including the design of a new subdivision with a focus
on maximizing units and greenspace, increasing capacity to
undertake new construction, housing administrative staff to support
the creation of additional units, building a new capital works
space for construction equipment storage and maintenance, and
creating a new housing authority to oversee housing allocations
separate from the chief and band council.
HAF is helping cut red tape and fast track at least 100,000
permitted new homes over the first three years, which cities and
regions estimate will lead to the creation of over 750,000
permitted new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous
communities across Canada over the
next decade. It asks for innovative action plans from local
governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure
the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon
delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big
and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating
project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and
encouraging affordable housing units.
Today's announcement also included funding of four projects
under the National Housing Strategy's Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)
and Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) including:
- Repairs of 6 units at 13156 Route 105, Tobique First Nation
-
- $90,000 in funding through the
AHF's Indigenous Government Repair Offer
- $135,000 from Tobique First Nation
- Repairs of 14 units at 13094 Route 105, Tobique First Nation
-
- $210,000 in funding through the
AHF's Indigenous Government Repair Offer
- $315,000 from Tobique First Nation
- Eight new homes across two projects on Muwin Crescent, Bilijk
First Nation
-
- $ 1.01M through the third round
of the RHI Projects Stream
- $260,000 from Indigenous Services
Canada
The Government of Canada is
making life more affordable for Canadians – and housing is key to
our work. We will continue to work with our Indigenous partners to
keep building more homes for Canadians, faster.
Quotes:
"We are excited and proud to announce these agreements through
three National Housing Strategy initiatives today. Addressing the
unique housing barriers that Indigenous communities face is
essential to ensuring that people can remain in their communities,
connected to their families and culture. We will keep working with
Indigenous partners and all levels of government, to get more homes
built for Canadians at prices they can afford."
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"First Nations communities know best what they need in terms of
housing. This federal government is doing things differently and
choosing to follow the lead of First Nations and supporting their
self determination in projects like these ones. This is helping
meet the unique needs of communities and providing First Nations
children with the fair chance at success that they deserve." –
The Honourable Patty Hadju, Minister of Indigenous Services and
Member of Parliament for Thunder
Bay – Superior North
"Everyone in Canada deserves a
safe place to call home. These investments are helping make this a
reality for more Indigenous families in New Brunswick and across the country.
Accelerating the construction of safe and affordable housing in
Wolastoqiyik communities is a step taken on the road to
reconciliation, by addressing the specific housing challenges faced
by indigenous people." – Jenica Atwin, Member of
Parliament for Fredericton
"Tobique First Nation are very
excited to be part of a great incentive that is geared toward
addressing housing needs across Canada and especially on First Nation
communities.
First Nation communities like Tobique have had great success
with all CMHC programs and look forward to the delivery of the HAF
program over the next 4 years. And look forward to collaborating on
more programs in the future." – Kenneth
Moulton, Director, Tobique First Naton Public Works &
Housing
Quick Facts:
- Today's announcement was made by Jenica
Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton on behalf of the Honourable Sean
Fraser, Minister of Housing Infrastructure and Communities and
Ross Perley, Chief of Tobique First Nation.
- Launched in March 2023, the
Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a $4
billion initiative from the Government of Canada that will run until 2026-27.
- The Housing Accelerator Fund is part of Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS), an
$82+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home.
Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly
at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding
Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have
been developed.
- The Affordable Housing Funding (AHF) –previously the National
Housing Co-Investment Fund – is a $13.2
billion program under the NHS that gives priority to
projects that help people who need it most, including women and
children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples,
people living with disabilities, those with mental health or
addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.
- The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is delivered through the
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), under the National
Housing Strategy (NHS). It provides funding to facilitate the rapid
construction of new homes and the acquisition of existing buildings
to rehabilitate or convert them to permanent affordable homes. With
its third phase, launched in 2022, the federal government increased
its investment of $1.5 billion
through RHI, bringing the program's total to $4 billion to support those most in need across
the country. The additional funding for the third round of RHI is
divided into two streams: $1 billion
through the Projects Stream and $500
million towards the Cities Stream.
- As of March 2024, the federal
government has committed $50.97
billion to support the creation of over 146,000 units and
the repair of over 286,000 units. These measures prioritize those
in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people
experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children
fleeing violence.
Associated Links:
- Housing Accelerator Fund
- Housing Accelerator Fund – Building more homes, faster
- Building more homes, faster
- Making housing more affordable for Canadians
- National Housing Strategy
Additional Information:
- Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of
Canada housing information.
- 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. CMHC's aim
is that everyone in Canada has a
home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more
information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and
Facebook.
- To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please
visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
SOURCE Government of Canada