April 16, 2009
McGuinty Government Supports Off-Reserve Communities Across Ontario
Ontario is supporting a new housing program for off-reserve Aboriginal people in the province.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by the Province, the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, the Métis Nation of Ontario Secretariat and the Ontario Native Women’s Association. The agreement confirmed that the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation (OAHSSC) will administer a $60-million housing program for over 500 low-income Aboriginal households living off-reserve and outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Capital funding will be provided through new affordable rental units and homeownership loans.
This new funding will help create construction jobs in local communities. The province also confirmed the transfer of assets for the Rural and Native Housing program to the OAHSSC. In 2006, the province turned over administration of the program to the OAHSSC.
QUOTES
“Our government and Aboriginal communities, working in partnership, are launching a remarkable housing program to help off-reserve families throughout Ontario. By investing in prosperity for Aboriginal people, we are building stronger communities and providing a higher quality of life for all Ontarians.”
- Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“This initiative is another example of the Ontario government taking action to improve social conditions for Aboriginal people. By working closely with Aboriginal leadership, organizations and communities to improve housing and living conditions, we will make progress in closing the socio-economic gap between Aboriginal people and other residents of Ontario.”
- Brad Duguid, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
“The announcement today will have a great impact on those families in Thunder Bay. By supporting new housing, we are creating a stronger, more prosperous Ontario.”
- Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan
“I am pleased to be working with all of our partners to provide housing to urban Aboriginal people in Ontario. The OFIFC is pleased to work on what we hope is the first phase of providing affordable housing for urban Aboriginal people”
- Sylvia Maracle, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres
“Today’s announcement is consistent with the new direction the Métis Nation of Ontario has undertaken in the past year. Access to the $60 M housing program will promote self-reliance for Métis in the province because the money will target first time home buyers, seniors and those in need of transitional housing while building on the property management services already being provided by the MNO Housing Branch.”
- Gary Lipinski, President Métis Nation of Ontario
“It is our hope that this is a first step in a renewed commitment by the provincial government to partner with Aboriginal communities in addressing the shortage of affordable housing and the disproportionately grave effects it has had on Aboriginal women and their families. Partnerships and investments like the one announced today will significantly contribute to increased access to safe, quality, culturally appropriate and affordable housing for Aboriginal women and their families, and will help enable them to fulfill their basic needs and achieve their full potential."
- Dawn Harvard, Ontario Native Women’s Association
QUICK FACTS
- The First Nation, Inuit, Métis, Urban and Rural Housing Program is part of the government’s $80-million commitment to provide housing assistance for off-reserve Aboriginal families, made available through the federal government’s Aboriginal Housing Trust.
- The GTA Aboriginal Off-reserve Housing Program portion of the commitment will deliver $20-million for up to 320 low-income Aboriginal households in Toronto through new affordable rental units, homeownership loans and home repairs.
- Part of the OAHSSC’s mission is to provide housing and repair programs with a specific focus on the Aboriginal community.
LEARN MORE
Adam Grachnik
Minister Watson’s Office
416-585-6492
ontario.ca/mah-news
