Aboriginal Social Housing Aboriginal Homeownership in Ontario

1. Aboriginal Social Housing &Aboriginal Homeownership in Ontario www.OntarioAboriginalHousing.ca

2. Topics Aboriginal Social Housing in Ontario Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services First Nation, Inuit, M�tis�Urban & Rural (FIMUR) Program Rental Component Homeownership Component

3. Urban Native Housing Providers Rural & Native Housing Program Devolution Service Managers Aboriginal control over Aboriginal resources Duty to Consult

4. 1992 � Consultations with province and off-Reserve Aboriginal organizations Steering Committee formed with: Ministry of Housing Ontario Aboriginal Housing Association (now known as Native Housing Providers of Ontario) Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres Ontario Native Women�s Association Ontario M�tis Aboriginal Association 1994 � OAHS incorporated with 4 off-Reserve Aboriginal organizations (above) as member directors

5. 2006 � Agreement to administer Rural & Native Housing portfolio (approx. 1600 single family houses) 2007 � Province of Ontario announces $60 million allocation for off-Reserve housing in Ontario outside of GTA 2008 � MMAH entered into separate agreements with OFIFC, ONWA, and M�tis Nation of Ontario (MNO) to undertake preparation of The Ontario Off-Reserve Aborginal Housing Trust Report (OAHT) 2008 � Off-Reserve Aboriginal organizations recommend that OAHS administer $60 million share of housing funds for Ontario (excluding GTA)

6. 2009 � Province of Ontario, through MMAH, enters into Agreement with OAHS to administer the housing trust funds Program would be called First Nation, Inuit, M�tis Urban & Rural (FIMUR) Housing Program 2009 � FIMUR Program launched 2009 � OAHS administers portions of Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program (SHRRP) 2009 � Agreement to transfer assets of Rural & Native Housing portfolio to Aboriginal community (1600 units + 900 mortgages) Future...

7. FIMUR Background In the 2007 Ontario Budget the Ontario government announced $60 million allocation to address housing needs of Aboriginal people living off-reserve in the province outside of the Greater Toronto Area. In the summer of 2008, the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centre (OFIFC), Ontario Native Women�s Association (ONWA) and the M�tis Nation of Ontario (MNO) partnered to lead a provincial engagement process to gather information on the specific housing needs, priorities and issues of Aboriginal people living off-reserve in urban and rural areas across the province and to inform the design, delivery and allocation of an off-reserve housing program utilizing the $60 million portion of the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust (OAHT) Fund

8. Background cont�d The Engagement Sessions Seven one-day sessions in six cities across three regional areas: South, outside of the GTA Northeast and Northwest, Nearly 150 representatives attended from a diversity of Aboriginal housing & service providers, shelters, community & provincial organizations that serve the needs of First Nation, Inuit and M�tis people living off-reserve Over 630 of the provincial OAHT surveys were completed by predominantly First Nations, Inuit and M�tis individuals across the province

9. Background cont�d The OAHT Report In SEP�08, OFIFC, MNO and ONWA presented the results of the engagement process, in the Ontario Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust (OAHT) Report http://www.ontarioaboriginalhousing.ca/images/uploads/The_Ontario_Off-Reserve_Aboriginal_Housing_Trust_Report.pdf As a province wide Aboriginal Housing Corporation, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support (OAHS) was chosen as the delivery agent for the trust Other key recommendations included that the program be comprised of three types of housing: 1) affordable rental housing; 2) supportive and transitional housing, and; 3) assisted homeownership Incorporated in 1992 with the mandate to: provide housing and repair programs with a specific focus on the Aboriginal community, to be delivered cost-effectively; provide central policy/program administration and develop training for Aboriginal Housing provider groups; undertake responsibility for matters related to socially assisted, culturally appropriate off-reserve housing; utilize the talent, skills and experience of the Aboriginal community to the greatest extent possible in the allocation, delivery, construction and long term management of programs. Incorporated in 1992 with the mandate to: provide housing and repair programs with a specific focus on the Aboriginal community, to be delivered cost-effectively; provide central policy/program administration and develop training for Aboriginal Housing provider groups; undertake responsibility for matters related to socially assisted, culturally appropriate off-reserve housing; utilize the talent, skills and experience of the Aboriginal community to the greatest extent possible in the allocation, delivery, construction and long term management of programs.

10. Background cont�d OAHSSC, along with the three Off-reserve organizations met with MMAH to set the parameters of the design for the allocation. Approval was provided by Treasury Board in December of 08 with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Minister and each of the organizations in April 2009 during a formal media release. The Province signed an agreement with OAHSSC to deliver the new housing program. It was agreed that: A FIMUR Working Group would be comprised of representatives appointed by OAHSSC, OFIFC, MNO and ONWA to develop the guidelines of the program; A pre and post delivery assessment would be designed and implemented to ensure: transparency; that the program and OAHSSC�s delivery utilize best practices; and that any identified improvements would be implemented. There would be three components to the program:

11. FIMUR Allocation Model Allocation of the three main components: 1)Rental component, affordable Housing units, encompassing Income Rent Calculation (IRC) set at 25% of income to a maximum rent set at 80% of market rent. 50% allocation target (approx. $30.4 million) 2)Supportive and Transitional Housing 40% allocation target (approx. $20.2 million) 3)Homeownership Program 10% allocation target (approx. $6.0 million ** Update: Approximately $100,000 in interest added to FIMUR Homeownership fund to date A project may encompass a range of 100% RGI (identified as IRC or Income Rent Calculation in the FIMUR program) to 100% Affordable units. 50% allocation target (approx. $30 million) The capital funding is a forgivable grant earned over a 20 year period, with program guideline adherence required, including tenant selection requirements to address need, and priority, including families escaping violence. A project may encompass a range of 100% RGI (identified as IRC or Income Rent Calculation in the FIMUR program) to 100% Affordable units. 50% allocation target (approx. $30 million) The capital funding is a forgivable grant earned over a 20 year period, with program guideline adherence required, including tenant selection requirements to address need, and priority, including families escaping violence.

12. FIMUR Allocation Model cont�d The balance of funding is allocated as follows: To assist in bringing forward submissions, $0.1 M was budgeted for Pre-development funding Some of the allocation ($0.4 M)was utilized for the engagement sessions which are reflected in the OAHT Report. $3.0 M is budgeted for delivery of the program through its 20 year commitments FIMUR funding must be committed by December 31, 2011 Ahead of target: FIMUR funding now committed The pre-development funding has been expended during the first round of funding, as it was a limited amount. CMHC provides similar funding (SEED) which ran out for this fiscal period. The pre-development funding has been expended during the first round of funding, as it was a limited amount. CMHC provides similar funding (SEED) which ran out for this fiscal period.

13. FIMUR Rental Housing Program Target 360 units, which allows for an average capital contribution of $140,650 per unit Capital grant program that cannot be used for operation and supportive funding Units must demonstrate affordability for 20 years Project delivery to includes options for: new construction, rehabilitation, conversion acquiring existing buildings or purchase of new housing

14. FIMUR Rental Housing Program cont�d Criteria for selecting projects include, but not limited to: experience and capacity to deliver; commitment to Aboriginal culture and values; demonstrated need; utilization of Aboriginal community; cost effectiveness and; partnerships Proponents for supportive and transitional housing allowed time to secure operational funding after receiving OAHS conditional approval Helps address �chicken and egg� problem with separate capital and operational funding buckets It is well known that funding through mainstream agencies may take time to access. This will not prevent proponents from being successful. Other services can be partnered from existing agencies to provide the supports that are needed. Proponents will be asked to provide either proof of commitment, their plan for supports once the units are ready for occupancy, and/or any partnerships that will provide services. If their plan does not transpire, the units can still be rented under the affordable rental component. This will make it more likely for applications to come forward as supportive or transitionalIt is well known that funding through mainstream agencies may take time to access. This will not prevent proponents from being successful. Other services can be partnered from existing agencies to provide the supports that are needed. Proponents will be asked to provide either proof of commitment, their plan for supports once the units are ready for occupancy, and/or any partnerships that will provide services. If their plan does not transpire, the units can still be rented under the affordable rental component. This will make it more likely for applications to come forward as supportive or transitional

15. FIMUR Rental Housing Program Status Competitive application process Three rounds of funding announced October 2009: $20 million February 2010: $12 million September 2010: $17 million At least 420 units will be built/rehabilitated Exceeds target by 60 units or 17% The EOI was sent out across the province prior to the Government approval of the program guidelines. Proponents were advised of this, and provided with guidelines immediately upon their approval. The proposal review committee initially reviewed the EOI�s prior to the guideline approvals, and provided instruction to the OAHS personnel advising proponents about mandatory criteria and basic requirements, until the guidelines were sent out in August. This allowed for the quick turn around between the disbursement of the guidelines and the first set of approvals . Unsuccessful proponents were contacted and invited to teleconference with the Executive Director and FIMUR personnel for a debriefing. They are able to submit again during the next phase of funding, the Request for Proposals process. The EOI was sent out across the province prior to the Government approval of the program guidelines. Proponents were advised of this, and provided with guidelines immediately upon their approval. The proposal review committee initially reviewed the EOI�s prior to the guideline approvals, and provided instruction to the OAHS personnel advising proponents about mandatory criteria and basic requirements, until the guidelines were sent out in August. This allowed for the quick turn around between the disbursement of the guidelines and the first set of approvals . Unsuccessful proponents were contacted and invited to teleconference with the Executive Director and FIMUR personnel for a debriefing. They are able to submit again during the next phase of funding, the Request for Proposals process.

16. FIMUR Rental Component Proponents

17. Successful Proponents First round of funding; $20 million Neech-ke-When Homes Inc. Sault Ste. Marie 16 units $2,160,000 Oonuhseh Niagara Native Homes Inc. St. Catharines 8 units $1,360,000 At^lohsa Native Family Healing Services Inc. London 12 units $1,406,900 Native Inter-Tribal Housing Co-operative Inc. London 29 units $3,480,000 Hotinohsioni Incorporated Brantford 27 units $3,510,000 Gignul Non Profit Housing Corporation Ottawa 28 units $4,752,958 Can-Am Urban Native Non-Profit Homes Inc. Windsor 12 units $1,500,425 Tungasuvvingat Inuit Ottawa 12 units $1,780,000

18. Successful Proponents Second round of funding; $12 million Aamikkowiish Non-Profit Housing Kenora 17 units $2,890,000 At^lohsa Native Family Healing London 16 units $2,160,000 Hotinohsioni Inc. Brantford 10 units $1,060,000 Kaabeshiwiin Non-Profit Housing Red Lake 6 units $1,020,000 Matawa Non-Profit Housing Corp. Thunder Bay 24 units $3,374,400 Urban Native Homes Inc. Hamilton 8 units $1,194,800

19. Successful Proponents Third round of funding; $17 million Hamilton-Wentworth Ch of NWomen Inc. Hamilton 10 units $1,700,000 FF Native Urban Wahkaiganun Corporation Fort Frances 10 units $1,254,000 Wequedong Lodge of Thunder Bay Thunder Bay 6 units $1,020,000 Assisted Delivery Dryden 24 units $4,800,000 Sioux Lookout 15 units $2,534,700 OAHS Direct Delivery NE Ontario 24 units $4,080,000

20. FIMUR Assisted HomeownershipOverview To address the need of off-reserve Aboriginal people with low-to-moderate income move from rental to home ownership Target is a minimum of 200 households Updated forecast is 255 households or 27.5% above target A first-come/first-serve application process, with priority given to households living in social housing and those escaping violence Pre-approval for a mortgage must be obtained The maximum forgivable loan is $30,000 per household Secured with a Promissory Note registered against the property which is forgiven after 5 years The mortgage can be in the form of a private mortgage, a co-signed mortgage, or funds through a settlement in addition to a standard bank mortgageThe mortgage can be in the form of a private mortgage, a co-signed mortgage, or funds through a settlement in addition to a standard bank mortgage

21. FIMUR Assisted Homeownership Overview Eligible household must have a gross income less than the 60th percentile of income qualify and must be located in one of the three regions (off-reserve, outside of the GTA) Eligible property must not exceed Average Market Value as determined by OAHS for the area Eligible Expenses include: legal costs; - title Insurance - water/sewer testing home inspection - down payment - land transfer costs building appraisal - eco-energy assessment CMHC and Genworth support as mortgage insurers Major banks, trust companies, credit unions, Anishinabek Nation Credit Union Although appliances are not eligible, they may be stipulated as a requirement in an offer-to-purchase, provided the average market value is not exceeded, and the mortgage supports it Although appliances are not eligible, they may be stipulated as a requirement in an offer-to-purchase, provided the average market value is not exceeded, and the mortgage supports it

22. FIMUR Homeownership - Statistics Geographic distribution: NW 27%; NE 28%; SO 45% Breakout by family member composition: First Nation: 351 people or 67% M�tis: 74 people or 14% Inuit: 5 people or 1% Non-Aboriginal Family Members: 97 people or 19%

23. FIMUR Homeownership - Statistics Very strong take-up: currently in �wait list� position 187 closings in last 8 months � families/individuals actually in their own home Translates to 527 people in their own homes Additional 55 families/individuals currently approved and are actively house shopping Forecasted to help 255 households or over 700 people Average forgivable loan $23,758 Average loan-to-value: 86% Average interest rate: 4.38%

24. FIMUR HomeownershipSocial Returns Housing Continuum A hand-up Breaking the cycle Making existing social housing units available immediately Freeing up social housing units for other families (twice the impact)

25. FIMUR HomeownershipSocial Returns Need for safe, affordable housing before beginning to address other social needs (Maslow) FIMUR Homeownership Program has: Helped a young mother and her 4 month old daughter get off her friend�s couch Helped women and children escape violent situations Helped young men and women starting out have hope for a brighter future Helped families leave private rentals covered with mold Helped a recovering alcoholic find stability

26. FIMUR HomeownershipEconomic Returns Based on $4.4 million of forgivable loans to date: $28.1 million of real estate purchases $24.2 million of mortgages issued $0.5 million in direct government fees and taxes (includes $0.4 million in CMHC premiums) $1.1 million in indirect taxes on marginal income Conservatively, government collects 37 cents for every $1 invested in the FIMUR Homeownership Program

27. FIMUR Homeownership Economic Returns (cont�d) $1.8 million in direct revenue for business services (includes $1.4 million real estate commissions; balance legal fees, inspections, appraisals, title insurance) Efficient method of freeing up social housing units Other economic spin-offs not included above: Mortgage broker commissions Moving costs Ancillary costs associated with a new house

28. FIMUR Homeowners

29. FIMUR Homeowners My new home is located here in the town. I will be living in the home . At present I am living with friends here in town. It is very important to me to have a home of my own. The Aboriginal Housing Program has provided me with the means to purchase my own home because of the assistance available from them. I am very thankful that I am now able to have a home of my own. Northeast Ontario

30. FIMUR Homeowners I�ve been a mom since I was sixteen. I have struggled and have overcome many obstacles in my life. Being a single mom, I�m living from pay cheque to pay cheque. The FIMUR program paid for the down payment, lawyer�s fees, title search, etc. meaning that I can now say proudly �THIS IS MY HOME!� Although I have lived on my own since I was sixteen (am now 35), having this house means that I have actually planted my roots. I can now do something as minor as measure my kids� height on the door frame, something I have never done before because all the places I�ve lived in before were not really mine. Having this house has already brightened my smile and outlook on not only my future, but for the many generations to come. By buying this home, my younglings have already told their many friends that we bought a house. I�ve heard comments and questions from the other Aboriginal kids at school. Without realizing it, this home has brought about more confidence and pride in my children. Northwest Ontario

31. FIMUR Homeowners

32. OAHS and Current Member Directors Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services: www.OntarioAboriginalHousing.ca The M�tis Nation Ontario: www.metisnation.org The Ontario Native Women�s Association: www.onwa-tbay.ca The Ontario Federation of Indian Friend Ship Centres: www.ofifc.org �Thank you!