Overview of the Community Private Housing Initiative

The applicant is either:

• A Cree individual (JBNQA beneficiary), at least 18 years of age; or
• A Cree Local Government or its development corporation.

The Program may eventually extend to apply also to Cree developers planning to build multiple units for resale or leasing to Cree individuals, but for the time being Cree developers are not eligible for subsidies.

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New housing units built by Cree individual:

• New housing units, consisting of self-contained dwelling units, with washroom, kitchen and sleeping facilities;
• The housing units must be used as the main residence, rather than seasonal or vacation homes; and
• Either detached or semi-detached houses, row houses or independent units that form part of a multi-unit complex.

New housing units built by Cree Local Government or its development corporation:

• New housing units (as set out above);
• Multi-units from 2 to 12 apartments with units consisting of 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms with min. of 600, 800 or 1,000 sq. ft. respectively; each unit must be a self-contained dwelling with washroom, kitchen and sleeping facilities;
• Old age homes for autonomous elders from 6 to 12 apartments of 1 or 2 bedrooms with min. of 600 or 800 sq. ft. respectively; Elders’ units must be on one floor or be equipped with elevator if more than one story high; each unit must have a kitchen, living room, full bathroom and 1 or 2 bedrooms; or
• Old age and reduced mobility homes for people with diminishing autonomy for 6 to 10 residents; homes must have individual rooms with private bathrooms and proper services must be provided for meals, activities and hygiene.

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A Cree individual applying for a subsidy must have no arrears of any kind or nature with a Cree Local Government relating to any housing programs or user fees, including but not limited to past and present overdue rent. The arrears of the applicant are deemed to also include those of any person who lives together with the applicant in a conjugal relationship (e.g. spouse, common law partner).

Ask your community Housing Administrator about your current standing with respect to arrears.

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The applicant must meet the relevant credit criteria, as determined by a financial institution, including the capacity to finance the remaining balance of funding required to construct the housing unit/project by providing either:

• A letter from the financial institution confirming the capacity of the applicant to self-finance the project; or,
• A commitment letter from the financial institution to provide a loan to finance the project.

The financial institution may require a waiver of exemption from seizure to enable the applicant to grant a hypothec (mortgage) on the housing unit.

Ask your community Housing Administrator for a list of financial institutions that can provide mortgage loans in your community and for their contact information.

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The applicant must provide confirmation that a suitable parcel of land on Category IA land has been set aside for the purpose of constructing the housing unit/project, and that a perpetual grant and agreement of superficie for residential purposes has been concluded between the Cree Local Government and the applicant/recipient (Cree individual).

Ask your community Housing Administrator how to secure a parcel of land and to request a perpetual grant and agreement of superficie from your Cree Local Government.

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The applicant must provide evidence that the housing unit/project will be constructed:

• By a contractor holding all required licenses, permits, authorizations, insurances and bonds, including a valid RBQ license; and
• In accordance with applicable laws of the Cree Local Government and of the Cree Nation Government, as well as laws, codes and standards applicable in Quebec.

The contractor must undertake to ensure compliance of the same by any sub-contractor involved in the construction of the housing unit. In this regard, the applicant will need to provide:

• A copy of the signed construction contract with the contractor; and
• A letter of confirmation and undertakings signed by the contractor.

Ask your community Housing Administrator for a model letter of confirmation.

The building plans and specifications of housing units built by a Cree Local Government or its development corporation must be sealed by an architect licensed under the laws applicable in Quebec.

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Subsidy Amounts

The maximum subsidy amounts, excluding amounts for service hook-up, are set out based on the community and the type and size of the housing unit.

Ask your community Housing Administrator to calculate the subsidy amount that you may be eligible to receive based on your proposed housing project.

Local Programs and Additional Terms and Conditions

Subsidies are provided only for projects that meet the terms and conditions of the Community Private Housing Initiative. Local housing programs and policies may provide for additional terms and conditions as long as they are not inconsistent with those provided for in this Program Initiative.

Exclusive Use and Occupation by Crees

All subsidized housing projects are for the exclusive use and occupation by Crees, to the exclusion of individuals who are eligible for employer-sponsored housing.

One Subsidy per Unit

Only one subsidy can be granted for a housing unit (Cree individual), or for a housing unit which forms part of the project that is subject to the application (Cree Local Government/development corporation).

The subsidy may only be granted to the applicant to construct the housing unit that is subject to the funding application (Cree individual), or the housing unit which forms part of the housing project (Local Government/development corporation).

Question: Can a Cree individual receive more than one subsidy?

Answer: Yes, over time, a Cree individual may receive more than one subsidy, provided that:

• each time, he/she meets the terms and conditions of the Program Initiative; and
• each subsidy is used to build a new housing unit that serves as a main residence for a Cree individual (at least 18 years of age) who is not otherwise eligible for employer-sponsored housing.

Example 1:

A Cree individual builds a house as a main residence for himself. He then sells the house to another Cree individual and builds a new house for himself. He can receive a subsidy to build each house.

Example 2:

A Cree individual builds a duplex – one unit is a main residence for himself, and the other unit is a main residence for an older Cree parent or an adult child. He can receive a subsidy for each unit.

In its current form, the Program Initiative provides for subsidies to Cree individuals or Cree Local Governments and their development corporations. The Program Initiative may eventually extend to apply also to Cree developers planning to build multiple units for resale or leasing to Cree individuals, but for the time being Cree developers are not eligible for subsidies.

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