ELDERS HOME REPAIR FUND – BACKGROUND

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is providing an update to the community on the background of the Elders Home Repair Fund. This is a new initiative based on one-time funding.

The MCA Housing Program has limited funding streams for home repairs. Housing is a highly underfunded area for First Nations. As an organization, we recognize that some of our community members need support to upkeep their home, especially elders. Therefore, our Housing Program regularly pursues new funding to address the needs of the community. Typically, the funding available is grant funding offered as one-time initiatives. Council and Administration share a commitment to prioritize efforts to increase programs and funding that will help elders.

This year, Housing applied to the Akwesasne Community Settlement Trust for funding to support elders who need help funding repairs to their home. The Trust is separate from MCA, and they offer a limited amount of funding to community projects every year, based on the criteria and budget they have set for the year. Housing applied to the Trust for a $400,000 Elders Home Repair Program, and the Trust approved the application for $300,000. Therefore, Housing is able to provide 30 elders with $10,000 in housing repair funding. This is a pocket of funding that we did not previously have, and that we are very appreciate to the Trust for approving.

Next year, Housing will resubmit the request, and we hope that it will be approved to assist 30 or more additional elders. For the time being, we are limited to the funding already received. As we received over 100 applications from elders for home repairs, we understand the disappointment for those not selected. The criteria for selection was based on those most in need due to age.

We recognize that there is a high demand for this support and we are actively pursuing additional funding to support our elders and help to ensure they have safe, healthy homes to continue living independently in.

Other streams of funds that Housing offers include:

Elders Emergency Fund – $5,000 one-time grant from age 60-75, and $5,000 one-time grant from age 75 & up. This funding is for emergencies such as no heat, no electricity, no water, broken windows or doors (safety risk).

Revolving Loan Program – Open to adults. Provides $20,000 in loan funds, repayable in 5 years. Can reapply every 5 years. The Revolving Loan Program also offers an $8,000 repayable loan option. Under this program, appliances are not eligible, but generators are.

FNCFS Projects – Housing currently has several child/family based options in progress for housing renovations or repairs. The criteria is strictly for homes with children. It includes the Overcrowding Program, which we are seeking approval to offer annually, as well as the $15,000 Home Repair grant for families with children, which over 100 families are receiving/have received. Additional projects are being developed under this stream to improve family homes.

Should you have any questions about these programs, please contact our Housing Program at 613-575-2250.