Yellowknives Dene First Nation to benefit from the substantial investment
As one of the latest steps in the ambitious National Housing Strategy that aims to address housing supply and affordability in every market, governments have announced a new multi-million-dollar investment in new low-cost housing for the Northwest Territories.
The $18.8 million in funding will be supporting the development of affordable housing units in Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN).
“This funding will help build eight four-bedroom, two bathroom houses and 11 one-bedroom apartments, to be built in the YKDFN communities of Ndilo and Dettah,” Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation said in the announcement. “This funding supports YKDFN’s continued housing strategy and goal to take control of their own housing system.”
The tranche is being delivered through CMHC’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund, which focuses on new construction and renovation of “mixed-income, mixed-tenure, and mixed-use affordable housing.”
Read more: CMHC reports on its results during the pandemic year
“This funding announcement by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is welcome news to our members who are in need of housing,” said YKDFN Chief Edward Sangris, Dettah. “This will allow YKDFN to not only provide housing for our members, but also create employment, training and economic opportunities for our development corporation and our members.”
Sangris also hailed the investment as a significant “first step towards reconciliation and the honouring of our Treaty with the Crown.”
The project is part of the $60 million allocated by the federal government to address housing challenges in the Northwest Territories. The developments will be dedicated to the most at-risk sectors like women and their children, people with disabilities, and seniors.
