Software manages housing easily

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Keeping tabs on the condition of housing under their management has often meant a mammoth undertaking for First Nations. Now, however, an extremely easy-to-use software program enables First Nation communities to produce accurate and up-to-date assessments of their housing situation, with just a few touches to the computer keyboard.

The versatile Abenaki Housing Inventory Management System is the brainchild of Abenaki Associates, a company that specializes in providing computer-based services and training to Aboriginal clients. A federally incorporated company, Abenaki Associates has offices in Hobbema, Alta. and in Ottawa.

Company president Percy Darnaby, a member of the Eel Ground First Nation in New Brunswick, was involved with First Nations housing when he worked as a federal government employee. He knows from first-hand experience just how crucial the needs is for accurate information about housing on reserves.

The beauty of the Abenaki Housing Inventory Management System is that it both reports and analyzes. The system not only provides an effective means to gather complete information on all housing units, but also producers analytic reports that can help communities plan future approaches to funding requirements.

Since the software was first introduced to the market in the spring of 1993, approximately 100 First Nations, trial councils and housing agencies have purchased the program.

The software works under ACCPAC Plus, which most First Nations already use for their accounting functions. Band staff who are familiar with ACCPAC Plus need make only a very simple adjustment in order to operate the program.

The program presents users with a menu of choices and with "video-forms" which prompt them to enter the required information. When the information is entered for all houses, the system will produce reports for analysis by the First Nation or housing organization, as well as the reports for presentation to funding agencies.

Reasonably priced at about $700, the software package can be purchased off

the shelf, installed, and up and running within minutes. For those customers who wish it, training on how to operate the module is available from Abenaki Associates in central locations readily accessible to First Nation clients.

Abenaki Associates pays close attention to what its customers want. The company maintains a data base of comments and suggestions made by clients at the training sessions, and through follow-ups with customers.

For developing this software program, Abenaki Associates was selected as the winner in the Process and Management category of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's 1994 Housing Awards. The popularity of the module to date is perfectly

in keeping with the theme of this year's awards, Sharing Successes in Native Housing.

In selecting Abenaki Associates for the award, the independent national committee of Aboriginal housing experts praised the company's continuing consultation with Aboriginal users, as well as the module's affordability.

"A program such as this has been a long time coming," said one committee member, "and will certainly improve inventory/housing stock control."

CMHC is Canada's federal housing agency. 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.