Enhancements to MCK Housing Program

04/10/2013

The Housing Department of the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Zarex Business Centre (based in Oshweken and London, Ontario) has been engaged to consult Kahnawa′kehr�:non on potential changes to the Housing Program in order to develop new products and services more in line with today�s requirements. Zarex Business Centre will be consulting community members from April to June 2013.

The Housing Department underwent a program review in 2012, which was conducted by the financial services firm BDO Canada LLP. The BDO review recommended increasing loan amounts under the revolving loan program, providing rent to own and elderly/granny flat rental housing products, enhancing social housing programming beyond what currently exists, and making enhancements to the guarantee program which currently operates with the Caisse Populaire Kahnaw�:ke and BMO (formerly known as Bank of Montreal).

The first crucial step is engaging the community to validate and receive feedback on these recommendations.

The MCK Housing Department has been operating since 1977 and is one of the top First Nation Housing Programs in Canada. It has provided 544 loans for new housing unit construction since inception and its portfolio size approaches $13.8 million. The Program includes services for new housing construction, social housing, repairs and financing arrangements with the Caisse Populaire Kahnaw�:ke and BMO for larger amounts. The Housing Program believes its success is based on meeting the demands of those in need of affordable housing and wishes to maintain that success.

Details on the consultations will be announced shortly.