Awards to recognize housing innovation

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Aboriginals who have successfully improved housing conditions for Native peoples will be recognized at an awards symposium Dec. 4, 5 and 6.

Hosted by Westbank First Nation and sponsored by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Sharing Successes in Native Housing will be held at the Grand Okanagan in Kelowna, British Columbia. Organizers are expecting 200 delegates to attend the event.

An Aboriginal selection committee received 111 entries in five categories, including Planning and Regulation, Financing and Tenure, Concept and Design, Technology and Production, and Process and Management.

The entries were narrowed down to 15 finalists who have found and implemented new ideas which help to ensure quality, affordable and accessible housing to Native peoples. They will present their projects at the symposium.

"This is a very important symposium," said Don Johnston, Director of Housing Innovations for the mortgage corporation. "There should be some very interesting information."

Johnston said the objectives of symposiums such as this one are to look at successfully ways of solving problems and transferring that information.

"We see ourselves as a catalyst. We're tying to help the Aboriginal community be self-supporting. There are major awards going to Native groups who have solved their own problems."

Among those receiving awards are the Dakota Tipi First Nation of Manitoba, who used bingo revenues to supplement Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation funding. They produced 20 houses of higher quality than could have been produced with the mortgage corporation funding alone. In addition, they were able to build two extra houses.

The Ouje-Bougoumou Eenou Company of Quebec has implemented a district heating system using wood waste from local sawmills. The system provides heat and hot water through water pipes to all homes and buildings in the village.

The Metis Urban Housing Corporation of Alberta was able to effectively manage 881 units throughout 14 Alberta communities by implementing a centralized, multi-branched administration system. They also provide training and employment to Aboriginal people in the communities.

The CMHC created the awards in 1988 to recognize innovation and excellence in housing, Every two years, the awards focus on a different theme. Past themes included Housing for Seniors and Housing for Young Families.

To obtain a registration package, or for more information, call 1-800-465-6212.