June 21, 2010
Aboriginal Housing Initiatives Announced for Brandon
BRANDON—The province will provide more than $3 million in funding for two housing initiatives for Aboriginal people in Brandon, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced here today.
“These two investments are another example of the Manitoba government taking action to provide affordable housing for Aboriginal people,” said Irvin-Ross. “By working closely with Aboriginal leadership, organizations and communities on creating housing projects, we will create a stronger, more prosperous Manitoba.”
The two investments include:
· $2.04 million from the Een Dah Aung Rental and Co-operative Housing program to fund a condominium building containing 14 two-bedroom units to be used as affordable housing. The Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Housing Authority will own and manage the building and will rent each unit.
· $1.09 million from the Een Dah Aung Rental and Co-operative Housing program for triplex, duplex and single-family units consisting of one two-bedroom unit, two three-bedroom units and three four-bedroom units. The Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Housing Authority will own and manage the buildings and will rent each unit to qualified low- to moderate-income Aboriginal tenants.
The minister noted both projects will address the needs of urban Aboriginal families, students and seniors living in Brandon.
“Access to affordable housing is a struggle for many people,” said Michelle Meeches, manager of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council (DOTC) Housing Authority. “We have put a lot of work into these two projects and we look forward to seeing Aboriginal families move into these homes.”
DOTC contributed the land for two of the homes and the City of Brandon provided another lot for $1.
Through Manitoba’s Long-Term Housing Strategy, HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba with the financial support of almost $100 million from the Government of Canada is contributing $378 million over two years for housing initiatives in Winnipeg and across the province. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.
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