Funding and Finance
Summary
BC First Nations expressed a desire to terminate the program and competitive application-based housing and infrastructure funding approach that ISC and CMHC have used in the past. They seek to replace it with a system that allocates funds based on long-term collective housing & infrastructure needs developed through compiling needs of comprehensive community plans. This system will use ISC and other government funds, Authority earned funds and other private funding sources to address needs over time. Rather than managing poverty and dependency on government funding, First Nations see housing and infrastructure as an opportunity to build wealth and gain self-determination. Respondents look to the Authority to become a strong central voice to advocate for increased funding for new programming and for reparations for past conditions. The Authority will also build financial tools and capacity for First Nations to maximize housing revenues from their rental portfolios, to expand financial opportunities and support the development of First Nations housing and infrastructure-related businesses through First Nations financial management organizations.
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