Indigenous housing group getting $3.7M for much-needed repairs

Relief may soon be on the way for Indigenous tenants of a non-profit housing association in Nova Scotiathat have had to put up with leaking windows and doors, holes in the walls and ceilings, loose banisters and mouldyapartments.

Ottawa and the Nova Scotia government are providing the Tawaak Housing Association with $3.7 millionthis year to pay for much-needed repairs to 36 units, as well asmaintain existing affordable housing programs and rental rates with 51 rent supplements.

Last month, some Tawaak tenants spoke out about what they said areunsafe living conditions and a lack of maintenance on their buildings.

GlooscapFirst Nation Chief Sidney Peters, chair of the association's board, said he was excitedabout the new funding deal.

"These funds [are]really going to make a big difference to our Native housing here in Nova Scotia," said Peters on Monday at a news conference in the foyer at Province House.

But almost in the same breath, Peters accused the federal government of having failed "their fiduciary responsibilities" toward First Nations in the Atlantic region.

"We need over 9,000 units just to bring up the housing stock here, you knowon the reserves and in the community, excluding the urban Native," he said.

Peters said Tawaak had been conducting an assessment of the units to determine what work needed to be done and which repairs were most urgent. He said the repairs could include work to roofing, siding, windows and furnaces.

Nova Scotia's Minister of Housing, Chuck Porter, said the province was glad to partner with Tawaak and would provide whatever assistance it needed to ensure the work got done.

"I can't speak to what has been done in the past or any of those concerns, but what I can tell [is] we've got a great partnership with Chief Peters and the folks at Tawaak," he said.

"Our goal is to work with them, to share our expertise if they need that in any way, shape or form."

It's unclear when the renovations will start, but a company hired to assess the state of the 36 units has completed that preliminary work.

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