Archived - Evaluation of INAC's On-Reserve Housing Support - Follow-up Report Status Update as of September 30, 2011
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Action Plan Implementation Status Update Report to the Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Committee - As of September 30, 2011
Regional Operations
Evaluation of INAC's On-Reserve Housing Support
Approval Date: 02/22/2011
| Project Recommendations |
Action Plan | Expected Completion Date |
Program Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| It is recommended that INAC, working with First Nations and seeking the active involvement of CMHC and other key stakeholders: 1. Develop a policy statement building on the 1996 Policy and other On-Reserve Housing Initiatives. The policy statement should lay out clear objectives and be flexible enough in its application to ensure it meets the different types of needs in First Nation communities. |
We concur with this recommendation. A) Working with First Nations, INAC will develop policy options related to housing that will clarify the roles and responsibilities of INAC, CMHC and First Nations. |
Q2, 2011-2012 | Status: Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: a) AANDC is in the process of developing a policy statement that will clarify the 1996 On-Reserve Housing Policy and will outline the roles and responsibilities of AANDC, CMHC and First Nations. First Nation leadership and CMHC will be engaged on its content via a workshop hosted by the AFN in December 2011. Status: Completed, request to close. Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: b) AANDC's Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, of which housing funding is a part, has been assessed for compliance with the new Policy on Transfer Payments. First Nations recipients have been assessed for capacity and risk using the General Assessment, and funding relationships have been tailored to the results. Status: Completed, request to close. Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: c) An evergreen AANDC-CMHC Housing Policy and Research Joint Work Plan was completed in Q1. Updates to the Work Plan are ongoing throughout the fiscal year, as tasks are completed and new issues arise. AES: Progress slow but steady. |
| B) INAC will assess the housing program for compliance with the new standardized departmental approach to First Nation funding agreements, specifically the new Policy on Transfer Payments, which provides flexibility in funding by taking into account risk and the different capacity development needs of First Nations along the community development continuum. | Q2, 2011-2012 | ||
| C) INAC is working jointly with CMHC in identifying and implementing practical, incremental steps including developing and implementing a joint Housing Policy and Research Work Plan as initial steps in a change management approach which will lead to improved housing outcomes in First Nations. | |||
| 2. Support and work with First Nations to clarify and strengthen accountability and governance structures, including roles and responsibilities, performance measurement, financial management, and community housing plans. | We concur with this recommendation. INAC's new policy recommendations (see Action, Recommendation #1) will address the need to clarify INAC, CMHC and First Nations' roles, responsibilities and accountabilities. |
Q4, 2011-2012 | Status: Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: Status: On-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: a) AANDC is developing a policy statement that will outline the roles and responsibilities of AANDC, CMHC and First Nations (developed in collaboration with First Nation leadership and CMHC). Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: b) Three performance indicators for housing have been developed, setting targets for 2015. Strategies for compliance were discussed with Regional staff at a national housing meeting in September and will be pursued further. Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: c) AANDC is funding First Nations and First Nations organizations and associations for various capacity development initiatives. See Program Response, Recommendation 3. AES: Agree |
| INAC is developing and refining performance indicators for all areas of funding under the Capital and Facilities Maintenance Program, including housing. Benchmarks and targets are being established for each housing indicator. | Q4, 2011-2012 | ||
| INAC will work with First Nations to strengthen their management of housing, including governance structures and financial management and the development of community housing plans, through various capacity development initiatives (see Action, Recommendation 3). | Q4, 2011-2012 | ||
| 3. Develop a strategic approach to advance capacity building initiatives in order to: a. better manage and monitor housing stock (where possible, INAC should work with other government departments to leverage resources for First Nation capacity development); b. advance local operational control; and c. achieve the minimum standards of the National Building Code (e.g., quality construction, repairs and maintenance) to ensure long-lasting and environmentally sustainable units. |
We concur with this recommendation. Working with First Nations, INAC will pursue strategic capacity development objectives to assist First Nations in increasing their housing capacity, collaborating with CMHC, other government departments and First Nations organizations. These initiatives will include: |
Q4, 2012-2013 | Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of30/09/2011: a) AANDC collaborated with CMHC and the FNMHF to produce an overview of all capacity support services and a summary report on trends and gaps. Recommendations to improve coordination and efficacy were developed, which will be used to improve future program activities. |
| collaborating with partners involved in capacity development for on-reserve housing (namely CMHC and the First Nations Market Housing Fund) to identify existing capacity support services and gaps and develop a plan for a more coordinated and effective approach; | Q4, 2012-2013 | AANDC is funding FNNBOA to research and develop a building permit system for Siksika Nation, Prince Albert Grand Council and Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation over 2011-2012. | |
| working with the First Nations National Building Officers Association to implement a building permit system in First Nation communities which will support the Band (Chief and Council) to assume operational control of housing outcomes; | Q4, 2012-2013 | AANDC is supporting capacity development in First Nations housing through the following Special Initiatives Fund projects over 2011-12: provision of a national housing resource person to provide housing advice and mentoring to FN communities; support to the Mi'Kmaq Confederacy of PEI to develop a comprehensive housing policy, undertake code compliance inspections, and provide advisory and technical services for PEI First Nations; hosting regional workshops for interested First Nations on community and housing planning, using the updated "Creating Effective Community Strategies for First Nations Housing" guide; and exploring the development of a central Technical Resource Group to assist First Nations in Quebec with their housing needs. |
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| supporting capacity development in First Nations housing through the Special Initiatives Fund (SIF), which funds small-scale projects designed to improve housing management, promote market housing, and demonstrate innovation in housing/infrastructure; and | Q4, 2012-2013 | ||
| revising the comprehensive community housing guide, entitled "Creating Effective Community Strategies for First Nations Housing," to support effective community planning and housing management, and help advance and promote local operational control of housing in First Nation communities. | Q4, 2012-2013 | Status: Completed last update Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: AANDC has revised the "Creating Effective Community Strategies for First Nations Housing" guide with input from CMHC, the AFN, the Canadian Real Estate Association, banks and other partners. This guide, including a supplementary toolkit with up-to-date resources and templates, is available to interested First Nations. |
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| Changes to the Ministerial Loan Guarantee (MLG) manual will add requirements that, as part of the application for an MLG, First Nations confirm that the project will be inspected by qualified inspectors who must confirm that it will meet or exceed the National Building Code (NBC) standards and other relevant standards. First Nations will also be required to confirm that the record of inspection and record of compliance to NBC standards or other relevant standards will be kept on file by the First Nation for the life of the MLG. INAC will continue to work with CMHC to enhance NBC compliance. INAC expects to complete the revisions to the MLG Manual and communicate changes in MLG requirements to First Nations in Q1 of 2011-2012. | Q1, 2011-2012 | Status: Completed Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: b) The MLG manual has been updated and approved. AANDC has communicated changes in MLG requirements to Regions. |
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| Community Infrastructure Branch (CIB) will link to the broader Departmental capacity development strategy led by Governance Branch of Regional Operations Sector. | Q4, 2012-2013 | Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: c) CIB has engaged in regular discussion with Governance Branch on the department's broader capacity development strategy. AES: Agree, work on going action items maybe they can be closed at year end. |
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| 4. Support and work with First Nations to ensure houses are built to address overcrowding and deterioration and to maximise the use of resources bearing in mind current and future pressures on housing stock. | We concur with this recommendation. INAC is examining options along the housing spectrum to identify instruments that will support First Nations in transitioning from social housing to other forms of affordable housing, including rent-to-own programs and multi-units to increase housing stock and provide a broader range of housing options. |
Q4, 2011-2012 | Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: a) CIB funded Canadian Housing and Renewal Association to conduct the research of housing options and tools along the housing spectrum, from social housing to home ownership, culminating in the completion of a final paper. CIB is working with Yukon Region to develop and implement a rental regime initiative with select Yukon First Nations. CIB funded the development of a draft "Introduction to Revolving Loan Funds." This provides an overview of the necessary steps and conditions required for success, and promotes RLFs as a viable option for First Nations interested in home ownership. Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: b) AANDC Audit and Evaluation Sector is undertaking an evaluation of The Fund, which will be reported on in Spring 2012 to the Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Committee. The report will assess the impacts of market-based housing on housing policy and the spectrum of housing programs, and whether policy and program shifts may be required. AES: Good progress. |
| Researching existing First Nations housing programs, policy options will be developed that support more effective use of revolving loan funds and other market-based tools, which has demonstrably increased available housing units by reducing reliance on social housing and decreasing pressure on existing housing stock. | Q4, 2011-12 | ||
| 5. Undertake research, in partnership with First Nations and CMHC, to identify: cost-effective design options for on-reserve housing construction and renovation the impact of demographic trends on the needs for on-reserve housing options for effective management of on-reserve housing portfolios options for effective governance of on-reserve housing |
INAC will collaborate with CMHC to compile existing research and publications related to housing design and construction on reserve. | Q4, 2012-2013 | Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: a) Through the Special Initiatives Fund, AANDC is funding the development of cost-effective green housing designs for Piikani First Nation, which will be made available to other First Nations communities upon completion. |
| INAC and CMHC will analyze housing and population data to consider demographic pressures. | Q4, 2012-2013 | b) As part of the analysis of the National Assessment of Water and Wastewater systems, AANDC calculated housing and overcrowding figures for each First Nation community. Each First Nation was provided with a projection of the number of new houses that would be required to meet their population growth over the next 10 years. AANDC is funding Stewart Clatworthy to update his 2007 study of the current and future housing needs of First Nations communities. This will provide a trend analysis to project future housing requirements on reserve. |
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| INAC will compile "best practices" for achieving success in First Nations housing for inclusion in the guide "Creating Effective Community Strategies for First Nations Housing," which will be a tool made available to First Nations. | Q4, 2012-2013 | Status: completed, request to close. Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: c) AANDC compiled best practices in First Nations housing and included them in the "Creating Effective Community Strategies for First Nations Housing" guide, with input from CMHC, the AFN, the Canadian Real Estate Association, banks and other partners. Regional workshops and toolkits on the materials are being offered to interested First Nations. |
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| INAC will collaborate with First Nations organizations that engage in research on the implications of the legal definition of local operational control. | Q4, 2012-2013 | Status: on-going Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2011: d) AANDC continues to fund FNNBOA and the Assembly of First Nations on an annual basis, which are associations that promote awareness of the responsibilities of Chief and Council as the authority having jurisdiction with respect to housing. AES: Close to completion, aim for year end March 31, 2012 update. |