Input sought on housing pilot in Kanesatake
Following an announcement in November that the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) had secured funding for new social housing, community input is being solicited on plans for a pilot project to build the homes with local labour.
'We want them to be part of the process because it helps buy in,' said MCK chief Amy Beauvais, who is on the housing portfolio. 'It helps them be aware of what's going on every step of the way, so we'll have less likelihood of people saying we had no idea. We don't want that. We don't want people feeling like they're left in the dark. We want them to feel like they're right there with us moving this forward.'
The meeting takes place tonight, (Friday, May 23), and will include an overview of the project and a workshop.
'It's a pilot project, so we are proposing that we change from the typical stick homes to rammed earth. We will be identifying the benefits of it,' Beauvais said.
When the idea was announced, Beauvais explained the material is durable, energy-efficient, and resistant to fire and mold.
'It's a solution that's been needed because of the housing crisis,' said Beauvais. 'Within that housing crisis there's mold issues and other things that the rammed earth is addressing, that's going to help. I think it's a very logical, viable, feasible solution for the community,' said Beauvais.
'I wish we could build more, but it's got to start somewhere, and I'm hoping it'll gain momentum and people will see how amazing these homes actually are going to be for the community.'
The plans resulted in the project being moved to a different funding stream meant to support innovation, according to Beauvais, necessitating a feasibility study that is expected to wrap up around September.
'It's unfortunate, but it also gives us more time to prepare and more time for the schooling aspect to be set up too,' Beauvais said.
The proposal includes an intention to bring a skills training certificate (AEP) program to the community that could serve to enhance not only the community's housing stock but also its labour force, according to Beauvais.
This could prove useful in the long run if the project were to be replicated year after year, she said.
The pilot project is expected to see two to three triplexes built, for a total of six to nine units. A location on MCK-managed land has been selected for these, Beauvais said, but she would not elaborate further. 'It won't be out of place,' she said.
Prospective tenants may be asked to put in a certain number of hours into the construction. 'That idea was put forth to give the tenant more of a personal connection with where they're going to be living, so it's not just a house, it's a home,' said Beauvais.
Tenants will be selected according to a points system, Beauvais said, which is currently being devised. It could include factors such as how many family members there are, how many children under 18 years old, whether there are disabilities, and other criteria.
'I hope that the community sees it for what I see it as. It's more than just a project. It's more than just housing. This is meant to unite our people again. It's meant to give hope, to show that there is a better tomorrow coming.'
The meeting takes place at Ratihén:te High School tonight, May 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pizza and beverages will be offered, and families are welcome.
marcus@easterndoor.com
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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