• The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has set-up Universal Partnership Agreements, or UPAs, with community Local Housing Organizations (LHOs), governments and organizations wanting to assume local delivery of Corporation housing programs and services. The UPA provides the partner with increased flexibility and decision-making ability at the local level and defines the expectations and responsibilities of both parties.
  
  
• This agreement is the first of its kind where a First Nation has partnered with the Corporation in the delivery of the Corporation's Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancements (CARE) program. The Corporation intends to build on this approach with other partners in the future to assist them in providing similar benefits to their communities.
  
  
• CARE assists homeowners in making necessary repairs to their home to ensure a safe and healthy residence and to increase the useful economic life of their home. The financial assistance provided is in the form of a forgivable loan to subsidize the cost of preventative maintenance checks and repairs and renovations to the client's home.
  
  
• The CARE program is one of four programs offered through the Corporation's Housing Choices program structure. The other programs offered through Housing Choices include:
  
  
  • Solutions to Educate People or STEP
    - An education program for homeowners and those who may wish to become homeowners
    
    
  • Providing Assistance for Territorial Homeownership or PATH program
    - A home purchase/construction program
    
    
  • Homeownership Entry Level Program or HELP
    - A transitional housing program for low-income renters
    
    
• The delivery of CARE by the Salt River First Nation will be guided by the same policies and procedures as those used by the Corporation.
  
  
• CARE is delivered throughout the Northwest Territories by the Corporation's district offices located in Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells and Inuvik.
  
  
• The Corporation has committed to contributing $150,000 annually to the Salt River First Nation's CARE program delivery for a period of 3 years with the First Nation providing the same amount over this period. The agreement will be reviewed prior to the 3 year mark, to determine how the partners will proceed beyond this period.
  

The Salt River First Nation is located in the community of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, on the Alberta-NWT border, approximately 300km south of Yellowknife.

For more information, contact: