Move aims to build 200+ units, but leaders say further aid is needed
Nine First Nations in Northern Ontario will receive over $15 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to address critical housing needs.
While welcoming the funding, Chief Brennan Sainnawap of Wapekeka First Nation emphasized the scale of his community's housing crisis.
“It will help our housing needs a bit,” Sainnawap said. “We need more houses for our community. We have a housing shortage.”
In comparison, provinces like Quebec received $900 million in the accelerator fund. The federal and provincial governments contributed to fund to build 120 new affordable housing units in the Gaspé region.
Read more: Quebec cities get $900 million federal injection for affordable housing
Wapekeka, located northeast of Big Trout Lake, estimates it needs around 40 new homes to ensure everyone has adequate housing and address issues like mould in some existing residences.
“This announcement is welcome, let’s put it that way,” Sainnawap said. “But it doesn’t really clear up what our housing needs are. All I can say is, we’d like to thank the government for at least giving us some money to work with.”
The funding agreements, announced by Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, aim to fast-track the construction of over 200 housing units within the next three years.
“Indigenous peoples and every Canadian deserve a safe place to call home,” Hajdu said. “This investment is helping make this a reality for Indigenous families in Northern Ontario and across the country.
“It will accelerate the construction of safe and affordable housing to meet the unique needs of communities. This is essential for Indigenous children to have the fair chance at success that they deserve.”
The funding will support diverse initiatives across the First Nations. Wapekeka and Wunnumin Lake plan to develop new building processes, study aggregate supply, and establish a warehouse for construction materials.
Other communities, including Long Lake #58, Whites and, Webequie, Aroland, and Muskrat Dam Lake, will focus on community consultations, serviced lot creation, and partnerships with non-profit housing organizations. Shoal Lake 40 plans to design and construct new subdivisions to address immediate and long-term housing requirements.
The funding allocations for each community are:
- Wapekeka First Nation: $1.8 million
- Wunnumin Lake First Nation: $1.8 million
- Long Lake #58 First Nation: $2.6 million
- Red Rock Indian Band: $531,000
- Whitesand First Nation: $1.4 million
- Webequie First Nation: $1.1 million
- Aroland First Nation: $2.4 million
- Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation: $1.7 million
- Shoal Lake 40 First Nation: $2.1 million
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