Housing project built more than seniors' residences

Native group overcame racial stereotyping and discrimination through community consultations when developing Elders' housing project

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When a non-profit Native housing corporation in Regina wanted to build accommodation for Aboriginal seniors in an area of the city where elderly Natives had not traditionally lived, it hit a major obstacle" the "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) syndrome. Community groups in the area objected strongly to having the 22-unit project in their neighborhood.

Gabriel Housing Corporation, the project's sponsor, and MEWS Corporation, the architectural firm designing the project, set out to overcome local residence resistance through an extensive consultation process. holding numerous meetings with community organizations, the two corporations succeeded in dispelling residents' fears about the project, and defusing problems of stereotyping, and racial discrimination.

The project, Gabriel Manor, went ahead, and today the Aboriginal seniors enjoy the neighborhood's various amenities, all of which are readily accessible. They have bus service nearby, a shopping centre within easy walking distance and a community recreation centre, large lake and walking paths located right across from their homes.

Gabriel Manor is an unusual Native housing project in several resects. Previously, the federal Urban Native Program had focused on acquiring existing homes, rather than designing and building a brand-new facility. But since those homes didn't always meet the changing needs of the urban Aboriginal population, the scope of the program was extended.

Gabriel Housing Corporation developed the Gabriel Manor project to help some of the more than 130 Aboriginal seniors in Regina who require suitable accommodation.

Funding arrangements for the project were just as unique, with the municipality supporting Gabriel Manor through a five-per cent contribution to capital costs.

The Gabriel Housing Corporation made an equity contribution to facilitate special design features such as private exterior patios and a visual security system.

At the initial public meeting on the housing project in November 1992, nearby community residents expressed a range of concerns. These included their fears that the project would be carelessly maintained, reducing the value of their property. Residents were also concerned that federal funding for the project might be discontinued, and that large families might move into the project over the long term.

Through a series of follow-up meetings, Gabriel Housing and the MEWS Corporation succeeded in resolving the neighbors' concerns. CMHC was able to reassure the community association of the federal government's commitment to continued funding for the project.

To alleviate the community's fears about social assistance recipients living in the project, Gabriel Housing Corporation agreed that the community association could appoint a member to sit on the tenant selection committee.

Gabriel Housing Corporation also agreed to provide the community association with quarterly reports, outlining any problems and corrective action taken, for the first 18 months of operation. Neighborhood groups also participated in a series of planing sessions on the project design. involving the community in the planning and design process, the corporation and the MEWS Corporation did far more than simply defeat NIMBYism. As a result of their willingness to pursue an intensive consultation, non-Aboriginal community members now have a much greater appreciation of the Gabriel Manor project.

For their achievement in gaining the neighborhood's support and understanding of the project, Gabriel Housing Corporation and MEWS Corporation are joint winners of a 1994 Canada Mortgage and Housing Award in the Planing and Regulation category.

The theme of the 1994 awards is Sharing Successes in Native Housing. CMHC is Canada's federal housing agency. The CMHC Housing Awards are presented every two years to groups or indiiduals 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.