Cree band's innovation yields quality, affordable housing

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Good planning with an exacting eye for detail based on the unique needs of northern Aboriginal families has resulted in national recognition for a northern Quebec band.

With a very high birth rate and a population that has nearly doubled over the past 10 years the Cree Nation of Chisasibi on James Bay realized it needed houses that would accommodate ever larger and younger families.

The houses would also have to be affordable for families on hunting and trapping incomes, and extremely durable over the long term - no easy objective given the harsh climate of northern Quebec. Above all, the homes would be designed to respond directly to residents' needs, based on extensive consultation with the community.

Because Chisasibi is located 690 kilometres from the closest city, there are some marked constraints on the construction process. Transportation of materials is costly, and the community must be able to provide its own skilled trade people. Moreover, the construction season is very short, usually mid-June to mid-October.

Despite these difficulties, the band housing committee was able to build 18 single-family homes between July 1992 and February 1993.

The key to the first Nation's success lies in its superb planning. Under the direction of the committee, site planning, choice of house model, cost control and construction were all carried out by the band's fully Native-owned Chee-Bee Construction Company Inc. This method ensured that there would be 100-per cent Native input in all aspects of design and construction, from the drafting and layout to the installation of the electrical and mechanical systems.

For this accomplishment, the Cree Nation of Chisasibi received an honorable mention in the Planning and Regulation category of the 1994 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Awards. The Chisasibi planing processes began with the housing committee holding a public meeting to present the community with four different housing models. Based on the comments received, the committee selected a model and instructed Chee-Bee Construction to finalize the design and start work.

using bulk-purchasing methods, Chee-Bee obtained better-quality materials at reasonable cost, buying directly from the manufacturers. It trained its own technicians to provide the specialized trades, like mechanical/electric services.

To speed up the construction process, Chee-Bee has developed a full program of prefabrication for the component starts of the houses it builds. Structural elements, such as roof trusses, wall sections, floor assemblies and window and door framing, were all pre-cut and pre-assembled and shipped to the job site ready for installation. applying rigid quality control from start to finish, Chee-Bee delivered a superior product with built-in durability at reasonable cost.

The 18 homes Chee-Bee built for the 1992-93 housing program are two-storey houses with a split-level entrance. This allows the lower level to be used either as a basement for storage of hunting and trapping equipment and work-related activities, or to be finished with up to three bedrooms.

Because most of the homes will accommodate more than five occupants, the traditional bathroom has been divided into a toilet and sink in one room, and bath in another. Additional plumbing is provided on the lower level so that another bathroom can be installed if required.

Another important feature is the inclusion of two separate exists fro the lower level because of resident's concerns about a history of fire in the basements of other houses in the community Other innovations include air-exchanger units to ensure mechanical ventilation to all areas of the house.

Site planning for the housing project also addressed the need for wide spacing between the units for ease of access and snow clearing, and for large common spaces behind the houses to accommodate outdoor activities. As the plan intended, the users have full control of the project.

"The houss have to be good, because people build them for their own families and relatives," states the Chisasibi Cree Nation's submission to the 1994 Housing Awards. "If there are any problems you can be sure they would hear about them fast."

The CMHC Housing Awards are presented every two years to groups or individuals who have helped improve access, availability and affordability of housing. Past awards cycles have focused on the housing needs of seniors, young families, and people with disabilities. The theme of the 1994 awards was Sharing Successes in Native Housing.