FIRST NATIONS HOUSING CONFERENCE
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The 10th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference took place on February 14, 15 & 16, 2012 at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The First Nations Northern Housing Conference Working Group would like to thank our generous funders and sponsors for their continued support, and the speakers and tradeshow exhibitors for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Most importantly, we would like to thank the delegates for coming from across Ontario and Canada to join us. Your participation is the reason this conference has been such a resounding success for so many years.
Sunset Lodge owner Stanley Bluecoat had said that the wait for Band supplied housing was not in keeping with his ambitions so he decided to take on the challenge of home ownership and construction himself. Stanley initially approached the construction of his new home in a phased multi-year plan. After completing the first phase of construction Stanley approached the bank for additional funding. He received a full mortgage to allow the completion of the home. Not only is this new dwelling Stanley’s own home it is also his new business. Stanley operates his home as a lodge offering some of the best accommodations in the North. The Sunset Lodge is a successful operation often booked to capacity. Stanley is already considering the addition of a second building to expand his business.
Kasabonika Lake First Nation is being recognized for their innovative use of a variety of different funding programs to help deal with their housing situation. In addition to the overcrowding and lack of housing that many remote First Nations deal with, Kasabonika Lake First Nation had the added problem of being at maximum capacity for their hydro generating and sewage treatment plants.
The community used every available source of funding including AANDC and CMHC CEAP program funds, CMHC RRAP, CMHC Section 95, as well as utilizing band finances. The funds were used to renovate and in some cases, replace their existing housing stock in the form of new buildings. It is noteworthy that Kasabonika Lake First Nation did the majority of the housing construction and renovation with their own local workers.
The Web-Cast Live allows you to watch each session and workshop from the comfort of your own space via the On-Demand videos! Whether you’re refreshing your memory of watching it for the first time, the On-Demand videos will be a resource for you.
