Stonecircle now assisting in capacity building in First Nations

First Nations now have another potential opportunity to work with Stonecircle in the area of capacity development.

The First Nation Market Housing Fund was created to support financing arrangements for housing on reserve. The fund has two elements. One is a Credit Enhancement Facility, which acts as a guarantor of housing loans for on-reserve housing.

Another element of the fund is the Capacity Development Program, which provides funding for First Nation communities that meet or are close to meeting the Fund's criteria for credit enhancement, but need further development and support.

The Fund will support the following services:

• planning and developing housing policies, financial policies, building codes
• supporting accredited programs for housing staff
• Design and delivery of workshops on market-based housing
• support for development of land use codes and by laws and registries.

First Nations who are successful with an application to the Capacity Development Program can then contract professional services to undertake the above and eligible costs will be paid by FNMHF. However, only consulting companies on an approved FNMHF list, are able to provide services.

Stonecircle submitted a proposal to FNMHF and is now included on the list of consulting companies eligible to provide these services to First Nations. We are currently involved with one community in northern Ontario to support capacity development through these funds.

So, if you are a First Nation and you need any support in any of the above areas, check out the FNMHF criteria and application form and contact Stonecircle if we can be of assistance.