Canadian Mortgage News

January 2005 National News Archive

Nicickousemenecaning First Nation Celebrates Opening of New Homes

FORT FRANCES, Ontario, July 27, 2005 — Nicickousemenecaning First Nation officially opened three new houses today at a community celebration.

Funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) helped the community members build the three-bedroom detached houses in a new housing subdivision. CMHC provided a direct loan of $366,000, and is also providing an annual subsidy of $22,154 over the life of the loan, under the Section 95 On-Reserve Non-Profit Rental Housing Program.

"The construction of these new homes marks an important step forward for the people of the Nicickousemenecaning First Nation," said Ken Boshcoff, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay — Rainy River. "The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the members of this community and congratulates them on their efforts to make this project a reality."

Nicickousemenecaning First Nation began planning construction of the housing subdivision and a water treatment plant over a decade ago. The new water treatment plant was also officially opened today.

"The reserve has been working on the housing subdivision and the water treatment plant since 1992. Now that it is completed, we can look forward to furthering our community development plans and assuring a bright future for our children," said Nicickousemenecaning First Nation Chief Gary Allen.

The Nicickousemenecaning First Nation is located 40 kilometres east of Fort Frances. The First Nation has approximately 130 members living on a territory of 4,800 hectares.

The Section 95 On-Reserve Non-Profit Rental Housing Program assists First Nations in the construction, purchase and rehabilitation, and administration of quality housing for Aboriginal people living on-reserve.

CMHC provides approximately $120 million in on-reserve funding each year for new construction and supports some 25,000 units on behalf of the Government of Canada. CMHC is also encouraging more homeownership on-reserve through mortgage loan insurance.

CMHC is Canada's national housing agency with a mandate to help Canadians gain access to safe, quality, and affordable housing. CMHC supports the Canadian housing industry and improves the living conditions of Canadians through mortgage loan insurance and securitization, assisted housing, research and information transfer, and the promotion of Canadian housing exports.

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News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)