Applications open for renovation program
Nearly $1 million is earmarked for renovations under the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Child and Family Services Renovation Program. courtesy Unsplash
A new addition to the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Child and Family Services Renovation Program could ease the burden for multi-generation families living in one unit, with new provisions this year specifically earmarked for families to create additional bedrooms and bathrooms in living spaces.
The Overcrowding Supplement has been created this year as part of the program, which will allow Kahnawa’kehró:non with many family members to create more space to live comfortably in their homes.
The provision is part of a funding package totalling around nearly $1 million from ISC, which last year saw 24 households benefit from renovations.
“We want to service as many community members as possible,” said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Ryan Montour, the portfolio chief responsible for housing.
The program was initially launched as a pilot program in winter 2024 and has since been renewed to fund more grants for community members to renovate their homes. Each grant will be worth around $40,000, with some flexibility should needs be slightly higher or lower.
To qualify, applicants must be on the Kahnawake Kanien’kehá:ka Registry, be the homeowner occupying the residence, have at least one household member aged 26 years old or younger, and require major repairs due to housing conditions that pose health and safety risks.
Homeowners with custody agreements are also eligible for the funding and must provide custody details in their application.
Montour said that issues that could make community members eligible would include situations like mold, window repairs, or unsafe roofing, amongst others - he also said that families with limited bedrooms and multiple growing children would benefit from applying for the Overcrowding Supplement, so that children can have space in their own bedrooms as they enter teen years.
“Sometimes at a certain age, you don’t want to be bunk-bedded with a sibling anymore, especially when you’re a teen,” Montour said. “The supplement means you can add on an extra bedroom, an extra bathroom, an extra extension.”
The funding comes from the First Nation Children’s Housing Fund, a $2 billion commitment over five years made in the federal government’s 2022 budget, part of an agreement-in-principle on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s Principle.
“That one-time commitment is intended to complement other housing funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada,” said Suzanna Su, a spokesperson for ISC, in an email to The Eastern Door. “The funding supports First Nations in undertaking a wide range of renovations and other projects intended to address the needs of children and families.”
Nearly $210 million was provided in the 2023-24 fiscal year, with the government also putting forward an additional $413 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year - money will continue to flow to support the purchase, construction, or renovation of housing units in First Nations communities in the coming years, Su said.
The first round of the renovation funding was a success, Montour said, and returning applicants can skip the request form - though they must complete certain sections of an updated application form, which can be picked up from the Housing Unit or mailed to applicants.
While 24 homes were renovated thanks to the supplement in the first round, more than 70 people applied, and Montour is hoping that more of those individuals waiting on renovations will be able to benefit from funding this time around - at least 20-25 applicants should benefit from grants during this application period.
“It’s definitely been a tremendous success,” Montour said. “We want to continue this as an annual thing until we’ve fixed every home that needs it.”
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Montour emphasized that this funding is not just for low-income families.
“It’s for everybody. I don’t care what financial category you’re in; this is for you. This is your money,” Montour said. “Apply if your house needs renovation or repairs, apply if you have an overcrowded house, apply if you need to change doors, windows, your roof, and we’ll deal with it and see how we can spread the money to help community members.”
The deadline for applications is Friday, May 22, and any further questions about the funding can be directed towards the MCK Housing Unit.
