Bands Told Housing Should Be Tailor-Made

Bands Told Housing Should Be Tailor-Made

Thursday, February 03, 2005 at 13:32

A housing coordinator with a federally-sponsored group in Ottawa says First Nations would be wise to develop housing policies based around their specific needs.

Roxanne Harper of Turtle Island Associates says bands who tailor their policy to their communities won’t reap financial goldmines, but they should at least realize more bang for their buck.

She also says that by developing a clear framework around existing housing dollars, bands will be able to focus more on creating homes that don’t break down.

She adds some of the questions band leaders are asking her these days include how to set up sustainable housing and whether to collect levies from reserve residents.

She spoke at a housing conference yesterday in Prince Albert.