By rdnewsNOW Staff

Metis National Housing Accord

Métis Nation of Alberta brings back housing support programs for citizens

Oct 26, 2022 | 2:09 PM

The Métis Nation of Alberta’s Métis Capital Housing Corporation (MCHC) has announced it is bringing back home programs for Métis Citizens in several key areas including down payment assistance, home repairs assistance, rental supplements, and student rental supplements.

Officials say mortgage assistance is also a new offering this year. This initiative comes under MCHC’s mandate to provide affordable housing to low- and moderate-income Métis families in Alberta.

• Down Payment Assistance: For Métis Albertans who make $150,000 or less, MCHC can offer up to a 5% down payment on the purchase of a home to a maximum of $20,000 per successful application.
• Home Repairs Assistance: Citizens making $150,000 or less can receive up to $20,000 per successful application for repairs to cover the costs of home repairs and renovations.
• Rental Supplement: Citizens can receive up to $5,400 per year towards rent and up to $850 towards a rental deposit.
• Student Rental Supplement: Métis students who are enrolled in full-time studies can register to receive up to $200 per month towards rent and up to $850 towards a deposit.
• NEW! Mortgage Assistance: Those who have experienced a loss of income resulting in a 50% or more decrease in monthly net income may be eligible for mortgage assistance. Successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 paid directly to lender.

“At The Métis Nation of Alberta, we work tirelessly to make the lives of Métis citizens more meaningful,” said Bindu Bonneau, Senior Director of Operations at Métis Urban Housing Corporation & Métis Capital Housing Corporation. “We’re fortunate to support everyone in our community, whether they’re homeowners or renters. These housing supports have made our Nation stronger, and we will continue to walk this path of prosperity by ratifying the first Constitution for the Métis Nation within Alberta.”

Since 2019, officials say the Home Repair Program has served 543 households, the Down Payment Assistance Program has served 426 households, Student Rental Supplement Program has served 75 students and the Rental Supplement Program has served 571 households.

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Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census revealed that to date, many Métis live in inadequate housing, with approximately 1 in 12 Métis (7.9%, or 49,565 people) living in crowded housing not suitable for the number of people living there.

Additionally, approximately 1 in 10 Métis (10.0%, or 62,640 people) were living in a dwelling in need of major repairs, showing a need for housing supports provided through the MNA. Officials say these numbers are more positive than those for the wider Indigenous population, but add there is still a long way to go to achieve parity with the non-Indigenous population within Canada.

Funding for this program is provided through the Métis National Housing Accord, which outlines the Government of Canada’s commitment of $500 million over ten years to support the implementation of a Métis Nation Housing Strategy. Officials say this Accord was signed in July 2018.