Akwesasne, ON, June 19, 2023 – The First Nations Market Housing Fund (FNMHF), recently unveiled its new logo and website, the first of many changes at the Fund. Staff and management have been examining a series of transformative changes over the past year to improve the products and services offered by FNMHF (the ‘Fund’), with the first step being better access to homeownership information through the Fund’s website.
“I am immensely proud of the transformative reforms and changes happening at the Fund. These initiatives empower First Nations communities to move towards homeownership and drive growth for a brighter future,” said Michael Rice, Chair of the Fund.
The First Nations Market Housing Fund is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to empowering First Nations communities in offering a full spectrum of housing options to their members, while recognizing that social housing is the only available option in some communities. The path the Fund promotes involves moving beyond social housing into areas such as rental housing, rent to own housing, and homeownership. The Fund helps to fill gaps along the way as the goal is to see more First Nation individuals become homeowners in their First Nation communities.
“The federal government set up this institution to increase homeownership on reserve,” said Travis Seymour, recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Fund. A Mohawk from Akwesasne, Travis recognizes the unique barriers faced by First Nation homeowners. For the past 15 years, the Fund has worked with 41% of all First Nations in Canada to try to address some of these barriers, with mixed results – one being limited uptake of homeownership programs after they have been established. The Fund is now exploring ways to improve current products and services, as well as adding new ones. “Over time, we’ve been able to make changes so that now both senior leadership and trustees are from First Nations, reflecting our commitment to improving homeownership on reserves as part of the response to the critical need for housing First Nations families.”
Other changes include organizational reforms that have better equipped the Fund to provide capacity-building support for First Nations, and a smoother path to homeownership for First Nations families. As part of this new approach, the Fund is launching a new website to improve its outreach and has also expanded its online presence through various social media channels. By actively engaging with people on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, the Fund aims to foster dialogue, and promote opportunities for First Nations housing.
The First Nations Market Housing Fund is committed to working closely with people to ensure that more First Nation members have the opportunity to become homeowners. The organization’s expertise and deep understanding of the unique challenges facing First Nations communities are reflected in its expanded services, and it will continue to make changes to better support housing solutions.
For more information on the First Nations Market Housing Fund and its services, please visit www.fnmhf.ca or contact Nancy Coloccia.
Media Contact:
Nancy Coloccia
Communications and Marketing Specialist
613-604-9859
ncoloccia@fnmhf.ca