The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI (MCPEI) and Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Island have signed an agreement to help Mi’kmaq families become homeowners for the first time. Funding for the project is made through the Off-Reserve Affordable Housing Trust.
“Our Government is investing in affordable housing here in Prince Edward Island to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those families who need it most,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “This is an innovative initiative that will help people in the Mi’kmaq community access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs.”
The PEI Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour conducted a needs analysis to identify funding priorities, with input from First Nations organizations.
“This is a creative way for us to address the housing shortage faced by Aboriginal individuals and families in our province,” said Minister Janice Sherry. “These homes built by First Nations volunteers to address the need for off-reserve housing will have a tremendous impact on the Mi’kmaq community in our province.”
The Off-Reserve Affordable Housing Trust, a one-time federal grant, has invested $100,000 to the Mi’kmaq Confederacy to partner with Habitat for Humanity PEI. Through the construction of new homes, First Nations volunteers will also learn valuable trade skills that may assist them in their own career aspirations.
“Taking ownership of your own home is an important step in the growth and development of individuals and families,” said Chief Brian Francis, Chief of Abegweit First Nation and Co-Chair of MCPEI Board of Directors. “We hope this funding agreement will have short- and long-term impact for our community members living off reserve.”
MCPEI is a not-for-profit Tribal Council and Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO) governed by a Board of Directors consisting of the Band Councils from Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations. The partner for the project, Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Island is a community-based, non-profit, faith-based organization with a mission to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.