1. Crystal Sedore, Housing Manager
Our Journey towards Sustainable Housing
Crystal Sedore, Housing Manager

2. In the beginning….2014
Singles/couples living in 4 bdrm homes as kids move out.
Spare rooms/basements used for storage
Spare rooms closed off to reduce heating costs
Aging homes falling into disrepair
Woodstove for heat, inconsistent heat, cold spots
Sky high heating bills-tenants on fixed income
Non payment of rents
No small homes for singles/couples/elders
No policies, no consequences, no accountability, no control

4. Costs of Operating a “BC Box”
Maintenance and repairs—2015/ ,000
Renovation 2015 (INAC Mould)– ,700
Emergency repairs plumbing and chimney(2016)
Pest extermination (carpenter ants, rats)
$68,700 (15/16)
Rental Revenue- $6960/yr
-$ YFN had 13 of these houses

5. Sustainable On-reserve Housing must:
Be Affordable for the band AND the tenant
Be low maintenance
Encourage our tenants to be “house proud”
Be Appropriate for the climate
Be mould resistant,
Be an appropriate size
Be healthy, safe, & comfortable
Involve a Long term relationship with the builder-ex. warranties

6. New Housing on Yale Reserve
Quality- Constructed indoors where it’s dry
Fast- A 12 month project was reduced to 5 months
Easy- No need for a project manager
Highest building standards in the industry
Reduced maintenance costs
Proven in Europe
Innovative
Energy efficient
Drastically reduces our carbon footprint
Why Modular?
Why modular?
Why Passive?
Currently the most energy efficient standards in the industry

7. Choosing the right builder
Respect for Aboriginal values
Flexibility to meet our needs & budget
Consistent message from all team members
Honest communication, no surprises at the end
Dedicated team
Committed to making it work
Convenience, close by

8. Ruby Creek Reserve BEFORE

9. AFTER

10. Built in factory over 3 months and placed on site on 2 days.

11. April 1,2017, Move in day

12. Brand new Passive 4-plex at Dogwood .
Move-in date was October 1st.

13. Thank you! Crystal Sedore, Housing Manager, Yale First Nation

15. Funding provide by INAC’s Budget 2016, Innovation-Mentoring
Funding provide by INAC’s Budget 2016, Innovation-Mentoring

16. Recurring themes in band housing
How do we get the tenants to pay rent?
Chief and Council won’t evict or don’t support housing decisions.
There’s no money for wages for housing staff.
We don’t have any policies, or can’t enforce the policies we have.
Our housing portfolio is chaos, how can we make it make sense?
Our housing information is all filed under “H”, I cant find anything!

17. Since the program was launched on May 30th, 2017
Assisted over 3 dozen housing organizations with applications for funding,
Provided 21 bands, with tools, templates, advice, guidance
Facilitated 3 workshops and 5 webinars.
Provided telephone and assistance over 100 times to band housing, band leadership and administrators and others who work for cities and municipalities
between January and April, we were consulted by more than 40 bands and organizations looking for mentorship and support.

18. 3 ways to access mentorship
One-on-one support
- Connecting bands with mentors in their area for on-site visits
Telephone and support
Ask a question
Share templates, tools and resources
Get referrals
Online support
Downloadable resources and templates, planning tools, reporting forms, applications.
Case Studies, learn from experts, contractors and other housing departments
Participate in live facilitated discussions and webinars
Timely articles and featured submissions from the network

19. Housing@yalefirstnation.ca Thank you!
What did you have to learn the hard way?
Send your answers to:
Thank you!