My Warmest Greetings to the Métis Housing residents!

By the time this newsletter reaches your hand, you will be busy making your holidays beautiful and treating your loved ones as uniquely as you can. I am also making a list of things I need to do for my loved ones, and I know how overwhelming it is. I have deleted and added a few items over and over, and it has become an interesting exercise to figure out how to make the holidays special. I hope whatever you plan, keep it simple and lovely because that is what matters in the end.

I want to review the year 2022 with all of you. This year we welcomed 91 new families into Métis Housing homes across Alberta. Most of our new tenants are from Edmonton, Calgary, and Grand Prairie, whereas about 14% of new residents are from other regions. This number may not look significant if we compare it to the number of families on our waitlist, but it reflects the progress we are making. We are not standing still anymore. We are overcoming past obstacles due to a lack of funding and resources and making significant strides to support the housing needs of our people.

In 2021, we renovated 55 homes across Alberta, but in 2022 we renovated 101 homes. It is nearly double the amount of work we accomplished last year. Some of these renovations are underway, and these homes will be ready in early 2023 for occupancy.

In addition to this, information about new construction is on our website. Construction of two small projects in Edmonton is underway and we are experimenting with geothermal technology to heat and cool these homes and support our climate change initiative. Next year, we are bringing an 11-unit, affordable housing apartment-style building to Peace River and 36 new subsidized homes across Alberta. The planning for our Griesbach project is ongoing, and we will share more information as it becomes available.

All this work could not have been possible without the direction of our leadership, support from our stakeholders, and the dedication of our employees. We will continue to make progress and provide for families in dire need of housing.

As we celebrate the last month of our 40th anniversary, let’s continue to support each other by taking care of the home you occupy, and reporting needed repairs on time. We promise to continue to grow, expand, and assist you in every possible manner.

On behalf of all of us at Métis Housing, I wish you all Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Bindu Bonneau

Senior Director of Operations

Our office will be closed for Christmas,

December 24 – January 1.

We will return on January 2.

Here at Métis Housing, we value time with family and want to ensure our staff get to enjoy the season with theirs.

Tenant Emergency Numbers:

• 780-717-9005 – Edmonton and Northern Alberta

• 403-333-6490 - Red Deer, Calgary, and Southern Alberta

We will respond to all messages received during the break when we reopen on January 2.

We wish everyone a great holiday season!

Métis Housing is excited to announce the return of the Home Programs for Métis Citizens in good standing for a limited time: DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE; HOME REPAIRS ASSISTANCE; RENTAL SUPPLEMENT; STUDENT RENTAL SUPPLEMENT; and the newest program – MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE.

The new Mortgage Assistance Program is the missing piece for many Métis homeowners.

If you have experienced a loss of income resulting in a 50% or more decrease in your monthly net income, you may be eligible for mortgage assistance. Successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 paid directly to the lender for mortgage arrears.

Make sure to apply today while funding is available!

Apply Today

We have several three-bedroom Métis Capital Housing Corporation (MCHC) rental properties in Edmonton AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY.

Our MCHC properties rent for below-market rates with fixed-rate utilities, making budgeting a breeze. The properties are located throughout the city to ensure your family can live in the right area for your life.

If you are interested in calling one of our properties "home", reach out today:

Phone: 780-452-6440

Email: info@metishousing.ca

Apply Today

96.9% voted YES! Thank you to everyone who cast their ballot for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution and had their voice heard.

The results of this vote have opened the door for us at Métis Housing to be able to provide continued programming and services that best serve our community. We are excited to see what the future holds.

Learn More

Housing Month

November was #YEGHousingMonth, and National Housing Day on November 22. We partnered with the top housing agencies in the city through a collective goal to address the issues of homelessness, the need for affordable housing in our community, and finding long-term solutions.

At Métis Housing we don’t just provide you with a home, we also work hard to ensure you have the necessary supports to be successful in your new home. One of the ways we do this is by having Housing Resource Workers.⁠

On November 14, Housing Resource Worker Victoria Halcrow focused on the Housing Resource Worker process from start to finish, the available supports, what success looks like, and how we operate within an Indigenous framework.

You can view the presentations HERE

#YEGHousingMonth brings together organizations and agencies in the Edmonton region committed to preserving and creating new affordable housing opportunities that benefit our whole community. Together, through education, empowerment, and advocacy, we enable individuals, families, and communities to thrive.

Changing for Climate

Our Senior Director of Operations, Bindu Bonneau, was interviewed for the City of Edmonton’s Change of Climate series, which highlights energy transition efforts in Edmonton.

Métis Housing, in collaboration with the Métis Nation of Alberta, has invested in solar panels on several of our buildings and residences. We are excited to be recognized as changemakers within the city. We currently have solar panels on 25 properties across the province including the Housing Head Office.

The Métis have always been good stewards of the environment and our resources. Solar panels are one way for us to continue to be good stewards. Our solar panels are expected to reduce our operational costs by $16,000 per year over a 25–30-year term. The money that we save goes back to our Indigenous people who receive our housing at subsidized and affordable rates.

You can watch the full episode HERE

In the News

We have been busy housing our Citizens and people are taking notice.

Here are just a few of the places we have been featured over the last couple of months:

CTV News - Highlights the different housing supports provided by Métis Housing, our role as an Indigenous housing provider, funding sources, and the importance of self-government in providing continued programming and supports to our community.

WindSpeaker.com - Outlines steps Métis Capital Housing Corporation (MCHC) is taking to address one in six Indigenous people living in overcrowded housing.

CFWERadio.ca - Outlines programs MCHC is bringing back to help support Métis Albertans.

RDNewsNow.com - Highlights programs MCHC is providing to Métis people in Alberta.

Postmedia - Highlights efforts being made by MCHC to address housing issues in Alberta and the work done to support Métis Albertans with affordable accommodations.

Lethbridge Herald - Outlines programs being introduced by MCHC to assist Métis Albertans in accessing housing.

We are only getting started. With a ratified constitution, we will now be able to increase the housing supports we are able to offer our Citizens.

Heat Saving Tips

The days are getting colder, which means the heating bills are going up. Here are some great tips for keeping your home warm (and saving money) this winter:

1. Use your curtains: Make the most of the midday sun by opening your curtains. When nightfall comes, make sure to close your curtains to trap the heat.

2. Keep objects off your vents: Let the warm air flow freely.

3. Use timers on your central heating: Set the thermostat to a lower temperature when you are sleeping or out of the house.

4. Block any drafts: Make sure to seal off any drafty windows and doors with self-adhesive rubber seals. There are great draft guards available for the bottoms of your doors.

5. Dress warmly: Throw on a cozy sweater and some slippers.

6. Prepare warm food: Make some soup or chili, bake bread in the oven, and let the cider simmer on the stove.

We wish everyone a cozy winter. Please reach out if you require assistance.

There are only days left to nominate a post-secondary student. Thanks to Drayden Insurance, three lucky students will receive a $1000 scholarship toward their post-secondary tuition through Métis Housing.⁠⁠

Completed nomination forms can be sent via email to communications@metishousing.ca⁠ or mail:

Drayden Scholarship Nominations, 11923 121A Street, Edmonton, AB T5L 0A2⁠

Scholarship Deadline: December 31, 2022⁠

If you have any questions about nominating a Métis student for the Drayden Scholarship, contact:⁠

1-877-458-8684 Ext. 1132⁠

Nomination Form