TFN Housing
1119 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino BC (P)
250.725.3350 (F) 250.725.3352
Barb Audet - Housing Coordinator (ext 28) email:
housingcoordinator@tla-o-qui-aht.org
Catherine Frank - Housing Clerk Email:
tfnhousingclerk@tla-o-qui-aht.org
Explanation Of Different Types Of Housing Funds
CMHC houses
The one big difference between these houses and INAC houses are that these have a mortgage but that INAC does contribute the $39,000 towards the building of these homes. The band does a ministerial guarantee for all the houses that are built. and if homeowner defaults it is the band that pays the mortgage from wherever there are funds available. It is not always from housing that the funds come from as there is a very limited amount of money or funds available to pay for those that default or refuse to pay their mortgage and ultimately it is taken from other band operating funds to pay the mortgage. To date the band is owed over eight hundred thousand dollars($800,000) and it is continuing to grow Given that the TFN is ultimately responsible for the loan, a defaulting individual can affect the First Nations’ solvency and ability to provide community programs. TFN has to carefully screen loan applicants’ qualifications and monitor loan repayment. It also brings to mind how TFN will want to carefully consider a decision to apply for a Ministerial Loan Guarantee . In the event of a loan default, the MLG provides for the lender to recover its losses from the Minister of INAC, INAC will then recover those loses from the First Nation.
Homeowners pay for a period of 25 years towards this mortgage. Along with this mortgage is insurance should the house burn down or something drastic happens to the house. Contents insurance is the homeowner responsibility.
Replacement reserve adds up depending on how much is paid for mortgages each year. But this has not grown much in recent years due to the fact that so many are in arrears and consequently the replacement reserve has not grown to what it should be at. This fund is used to repair items such as roof, appliances, carpet and windows if required.
The housing department is always looking for extra money and fills out endless applications to various types of funds that become available. In 2010-2011 the Government of Canada put out requests for proposals for the Canada Economic Action Plan for grants both through CMHC and INAC. We applied for money to build a 9 unit elders housing and 7 individual houses and 7 retrofit (roofs and doors in Opitsaht). But both grants have different set of rules. The 7 retrofit can only be used for social housing (CMHC houses)with active mortgages and tenants currently paying their rent. I looked at what would be cost effective for the nation and that is how the roofs come to be replaced.
DIA Housing
Individually owned homes
Were one time DIA homes and somehow or other were transferred to current occupant. These houses were originally meant to be as a capital asset to the band and since no rent is collected on this type of housing there is no money to do any large renovation. It is up to the homeowner to put aside a bit of money for either renos or appliances.
No insurance
No replacement reserve
Obstacles: Membership think that we have a big bundle of money for renovations or just basic items as replacing appliances. The Nation has no way of putting aside any dollars for this as we collect no rent on it.
New Home construction or purchase subsidy
This subsidy is provided for the construction or purchase of permanent houses located on-reserve. Each housing unit may qualify for one subsidy (e.g duplex=2 subsidies, triplex=3 subsidies).
Modular homes must have Canadian Standards Association(CSA) approval and be permanently affixed to a foundation.
Renovation Subsidy;
The maximum allowable renovation subsidy is fifty percent (50%)of a new home subsidy; where renovation costs exceed the renovation subsidy amount, the First Nation must arrange for other financing to cover the balance.
The following criteria must be met for a project to be eligible for renovation subsidies:
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The home is at least 10 years old
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The home has not received INAC housing subsidies (new home or renovation within the last 10 years
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Renovations must extend the structural and or mechanical life expectancy of the home by at least 15 years
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Work must meet or exceed BC Building Code standards
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Energy efficiency-type proposals are considered case-by-case, subject to the scope of work, estimated increase in life expectancy and available INAC funding.
The following are not eligible for INAC housing subsidy support:
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Lot servicing and hook-ups for road access, water, sewer and septic and electrical services
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Cosmetic repairs (such as interior flooring, molding, fixtures and painting) and other non-structural items (possible exceptions are cosmetic repairs required in the course of INAC approved renovations, such as mold remediation work)
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Homes receiving CMHC’s Section 95 Social housing Program are not generally eligible for INAC renovation subisies.
ARREARS ON SOCIAL HOUSING
Why doesn’t the Housing department crack down on people who don’t pay their rent and who have built up staggering arrears?
As soon as the department gets out of the putting out fires type of action we will be enforcing the new policy that was adopted by membership in October of 2008. Non payment of rent on the first of the month can trigger an eviction by the 10th day. Non-compliance with the terms of the policy and rental agreement may result in a thirty day notice of eviction.
It sounds harsh, but so are the living conditions for members who can’t have housing because of arrears, or the next generation who don’t have new housing or even existing housing as we can’t keep up repairs because of arrears.
Let’s rally as a community to reverse this situation with the goal of making the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation a great place to live—for all.
TY-HISTANIS
Tla-o-qui-aht has been approved for 9 elders units and 7 family units (2-2 bdrm, 3-3 bdrm and 2-4bdrm). Construction has begun and has to be complete by March 31, 2011. Realizing that we have time constraints on us or else we have to give the subsidy money back to the government we decided that it was best to hire a construction management for the job or we risk losing all the subsidy if the money is not all spent before the year end.
I will take resumes for all those interested in jobs and possibly bidding on parts of the construction. Please feel free to drop off your resume to either me or Moses. You can also send your resumes directly to coastmountainconstruction@shaw.ca and Wayne will forward your resumes directly to whatever area you are qualified for.
Tenant selections will commence in about a month and a half for these units. Community meetings will be held on November 16, 2010 place to be announced.
Lots:
Lots now can be selected for those of you that will be building your own houses with your already pre-approved mortgages. As with all housing please drop me a letter expressing your interest in a lot and we can work from there to arrange a site visit to look at lots that are available. Lots will be held for one year only and if construction has not begun within that year will be/can be allotted to another fellow member if requested.
