KWANLIN DÜN FIRST NATION,
YT, July 22, 2024 /CNW/ - To help tackle
the housing crisis, we need to change how housing gets built in
communities. By focusing on increasing density and affordable
housing, this will help build more homes for Canadians at prices
they can afford.
Today, the Government of Canada, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta'an
Kwäch'än Council announced that they reached agreements to fast
track a combined 107 housing units over the next three years. This
work will help spur the construction of a combined total of 1,518
homes over the next decade.
These agreements under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), will
provide over $7.2 million to
eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster.
Kwanlin Dün First Nation's Action plan commits to five local
initiatives including a new home buyer incentive program for
residents who need help with a down payment, a new data management
system to improve tracking of infrastructure development, taxes and
life cycle costs, and agreements with both Whitehorse and Yukon governments to connect more
infrastructure for future developments.
Ta'an Kwäch'än Council's Action plan commits to five local
initiatives such as an updated inventory management system to
streamline the construction of multiple units simultaneously,
diversifying community developments to build more centralized and
dense housing with access to amenities, and housing policy changes
that permit different approaches to residential land use.
HAF is helping cut red tape and fast track at least 100,000
permitted new homes over the first three years, which cities and
regions estimate will lead to the creation of over 750,000
permitted new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous
communities across Canada over the
next decade. It asks for innovative action plans from local
governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure
the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon
delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big
and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating
project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and
encouraging affordable housing units.
In Budget 2024, the federal government committed an additional
$400 million to incentivize more
local governments to fast-track home construction, resulting in an
additional 12,000 new homes permitted over the next four years.
The Government of Canada is
making life more affordable for Canadians and housing is key to our
work. We will continue to work provincial, territorial, and
municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners to keep
building more homes for Canadians, faster.
Quotes:
"We are excited and proud to announce these agreements through
the Housing Accelerator Fund today. Addressing the unique housing
barriers that Indigenous communities face is essential to ensuring
that people can remain in their communities, connected to their
families and culture. We will keep working with Indigenous partners
and all levels of government, to get more homes built for Canadians
at prices they can afford." – The Honourable Sean
Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"Through innovation and partnerships with local governments, we
can build the homes our communities need while creating affordable,
inclusive, and diverse neighbourhoods. Our collaboration with
Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta'an Kwäch'än Council through the
Housing Accelerator Fund embodies this vision. Together, we're
dedicated to making life more affordable and nurturing strong,
prosperous communities here in the Yukon and across our country." –
Brendan Hanley, Member of
Parliament for Yukon
"This agreement will help empower Kwanlin Dün First Nation
Citizens to reach home ownership. Housing is so important when it
comes to the wellness of our people. A robust and sustainable
housing stock can contribute to a person's self sufficiency,
allowing them to flourish. We are grateful for this partnership and
the support of the Housing Accelerator Fund. Shä̀w níthän, másin
cho, gunałchÎsh, and thank you to everyone who helped make this
happen." - Chief Sean
Uyenets'echᶖa Smith, Chief of Kwanlin Dün First
Nation
"Today I see as just the beginning of our efforts to properly
address the huge gaps we have when it comes to addressing the
housing crisis in our communities. I know the new housing units we
will build through these agreements will be of immediate benefit to
our Citizens and our community and I am very pleased with what
we've accomplished. I hope moving forward this momentum will
continue with more projects and partnerships that will allow us to
offer more affordable housing solutions for our communities." –
Amanda Leas, Chief of Ta'an Kwäch'än
Council
Quick Facts:
- Today's announcement was made by Brendan Hanley, Member of
Parliament for Yukon on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser,
Minister of Housing Infrastructure and Communities, Sean Smith, Chief of Kwanlin Dün First Nation
and Amanda Leas, Chief of Ta'an
Kwäch'än Council.
- Launched in March 2023, the
Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4.4 billion initiative from the Government
of Canada that will run until
2027-28. The first round of funding totalled $4 billion, and Budget 2024 added an additional
$ 400 million to this program.
- The Housing Accelerator Fund is part of Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS), an
$82+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home.
Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly
at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding
Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have
been developed.
- As of March 2024, the federal
government has committed $50.97
billion to support the creation of over 146,000 units and
the repair of over 286,000 units. These measures prioritize those
in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people
experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children
fleeing violence.
Associated Links:
- Housing Accelerator Fund
- Housing Accelerator Fund – Building more homes, faster
- Building more homes, faster
- Making housing more affordable for Canadians
- National Housing Strategy
Additional Information:
- Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of
Canada housing information.
- CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and
financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need,
and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of
Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim
is that everyone in Canada has a
home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more
information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and
Facebook.
- To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please
visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
SOURCE Government of Canada