Dialogue

Gimme Shelter has a new course!

 

Gimme Shelter

A Course to Train Housing Managers on First Nations’ Lands ©

Although this course is specifically designed for Housing Managers working on Reserve/Settlement/Treaty Lands, it can be adapted for Housing Managers working in Urban Native Housing Societies.

This course is also suitable for all Housing staff, Housing Committee Members and Council Members.

Course Outline:

Part 1: Introduction and Welcome/Historical Impacts on Housing Today: Tenures of Housing Built Under Different Programs and Housing Manager Responsibilities

Part 2: Financial Management

  • Capital planning;
  • Replacement Reserve Calculations;
  • Balanced Operating Budgets;
  • Interim Shelter Agreements;
  • Home Maintenance Agreements – Financial;
  • Insurance;
  • Arrears Management.

Part 3: Asset Management

  • Construction Management;
  • Maintenance Management
  • Repairs and Renovations;
  • Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program;
  • Replacement Reserve and Life Cycle Planning.

Part 4: Policy Development/Procedures and Forms

Part 5: Human Resource Management

Part 6: Tenant Relationship Building

  • Conflict Resolution;
  • Role of the Housing Committee;
  • Tenant Education/Training.

Purpose:

Property Management is at the core of everything Housing Managers do. Maintaining high quality housing stock is the major goal of any Housing Manager. Everything a Housing Manager does, from writing proposals, to managing construction programs, to counselling Tenants, and advising decision makers, should result in better housing conditions for the First Nation.

A Housing Manager’s first responsibility is to ensure that the First Nation’s investment in its housing stock and assets is maintained or enhanced. At the same time, a Housing Manager, must provide the highest level of service possible to the Tenants and users of that property with the funds and resources available.

contact admin@lindaeross.ca for pricing and more information

 

Building Permit for Siem Lelum

After a long grind and too many proposals for funding to count, we have a building permit!  The second phase of this project will be built with funding from BC Housing, the City of Victoria and the Regional Housing Trust Fund; while phase one was funded through the City of Victoria, the Regional Housing Trust Fund and CMHC.  We are still building permit Siem Lelumfundraising to build the Community Building and the Playground.

The owner of this project is the Victoria Native Friendship Centre and the Property Managers/Development Consultants are Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc. – a Social Enterprise Partnership sildenafil 100mg.

Siem Lelum Harbourside Rotary presentation

Imagine downtown Victoria. See the twinkling lights of the Legislature, smell the sea, and feel the breeze on your face. Now imagine the land a couple of hundred years ago, canoes in the harbour, villages along the shore, and Big Houses dotting the landscape with Arbutus trees swaying in the background. We visited this land on early Wednesday morning, where we were honoured to attend a breakfast meeting at the Harbourside Rotary Club as a guest speaker. We spoke about Aboriginal issues in Victoria and across Canada, particularly issues grounded in housing.

Housing remains an issue for Aboriginal families across the Nation. Many families are unable to find housing on reserve, as housing is in short supply. Housing shortages, particularly in urban centers, can lead to homelessness, overcrowding and possible eviction due to overcrowding.

Traditionally Big Houses were used by the Coast Salish people. Big Houses are large community dwellings, where daily activities like child care and cooking would take place. The Big House also acted as a stage for ritual dances, dramas during mid-winter festivals and potlatches. However, modern housing solutions rarely address the sense of community achieved through a Big House. At Siem Lelum, we will create a community center where our tenants can practice a more Traditional way of life.

Siem Lelum is designed to be a safe space for young families, youth and grandparents raising their grandchildren. We are fundraising for a community center and kinetic playground to embrace the notion of an “Urban Village”. The community center will be used as a classroom, gathering area, and kitchen for the residents and the kinetic playground will encourage residents of Siem Lelum to maintain a healthy lifestyle for their children and themselves. Through Siem Lelum, we hope to empower Aboriginal people on their traditional lands to regain their health and restore their pride of belonging in the community.

While at the Rotary Club we asked the members to help us promote and support phase two of Siem Lelum which will include the Community Room and Kinetic Playground. Siem Lelum will be a community focused, environmentally respectful, affordable and culturally active urban village of learning, laughter and play. Aboriginal Tenants will have an onsite full-time Tenant Support Worker, and participate in the renewal of traditional community practices.

Donations from the public can be made at the Victoria Native Friendship Center website or by visiting the Siem Lelum Facebook page and selecting “Donate Now”.

 

Linda Harbourside RotaryWilliamHarbourside Rotary

Gimme Shelter: Preparing for Home Rental or Home Ownership On First Nations’ Lands

grad cake Tsawwassen FNWe are excited to announce the launch of Gimme Shelter, a three-day course designed to prepare participants for home rental or ownership on First Nations’ lands. Gimme Shelter is comprised of six parts and covers everything from what constitutes a good owner/tenant to home maintenance. Other course modules include basic budgeting and planning, preparing to rent or own on First Nations lands, and preparing to move on.

Gimme Shelter’s first class graduated on April 22 on Tsawwassen First Nation in British Columbia. Thirteen people enrolled from Tsawwassen First Nation, and we are proud to say they all completed the program. For fee structure or more detailed information on the course, please call 250-381-9336 or email admin@lindaeross.ca.

© Linda E. Ross 2012

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