The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ) is in southern Ontario approximately 250 kilometres east of Toronto and 250 kilometres southwest of Ottawa. The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte is the official band name, and the name of the reserve is Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (TMT).
The opportunity of homeownership has long been in place. In 1974, MBQ introduced a revolving housing loan program. The program was successful; however, the demand far exceeded the available budget within the program. In addition to this program, a renovation program was added. MBQ implemented their Fund-backed homeownership program in 2014, further expanding its housing finance options for members to build, buy, renovate, or refinance a home on TMT.
Benefits included improved housing and job creation through renovations, and lower cost financing for MBQ homeowners. At the end of 2018, there were 75 Fund-backed loans in place.
“The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ) are encouraged to have reached the major milestone of having 100 loans backed through the First Nations Market Housing Fund. This initiative has been a huge success for our community, not only giving members another option to seek homeownership, but by also reducing wait times and getting them into their new homes much faster. Since 2014, MBQ has utilized over $16 million through the First Nations Market Housing Fund, and we look forward to continuing to break down barriers to homeownership here in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.”