Housing
Simpcw Housing Department
The housing department at Simpcw oversees various aspects of housing, such as the band rental units, social housing, coordinating renovations and new construction projects, assisting Elders with the Elders fund, revising, and implementing the housing policy and other day to day tasks.
Simpcw First Nations has around 100 CP homes on reserve and the housing department oversees 12 band owned rental units, 10 rent to own units and 15 new rental units in mid 2024.
Simpcw First Nations has 10 rental units and 15 more coming in June.
To be eligible to rent a housing unit, a person must:
- be a Simpcw member
- be 18 years of age or older
- have no arrears or outstanding debit owed to Simpcw unless stated in 4.1(b) of the Housing Policy
A member who is eligible may apply for rental housing by submitting a rental application to the Housing Department. The Housing Department then will screen applications for completeness. The Housing Department will then gather all the documents together in a decision package for the Housing Committee to review and make a decision. Once a decision is made then the Housing Committee will notify the Housing Department and the successful application will be told.
Once a tenant has been choose they will then read over the tenancy agreement with the Housing Coordinator, sign and get ready to move in!
From time to time Simpcw First Nation Chief and Council will designate Housing Units as available under the rent to own program where the tenant will have the option to purchase the Housing Unit after a fixed period of time, taking into account the remaining mortgage payments and any agreements the Housing Unit may be subject too.
At the end of the period specified in the Tenancy Agreement, if the Tenant has met the terms and conditions of the agreement, Simpcw will transfer ownership of the property to the Tenant by processing a Certificate of Possession allotment.
When determining whether to designate a Housing Unit as rent-to-own, Council will consider the following factors:
- the terms of any applicable CMHC agreement or other agreement in respect of the Housing Unit
- the Housing Unit, considering its age, condition, and any other factors considered to be relevant by the Housing Department and Council
- whether the Tenant or Applicant will be able to meet the financial and other obligations required to rent-to-own.
Any rent-to-own conditions will be set out in the Tenancy Agreement. In all respects, until the option to purchase becomes available and is exercised and the Housing Unit is transferred to the Tenant in accordance with this Policy, the relationship between that Tenant and Simpcw is that of landlord and tenant.
If at the end of the fixed period, the Tenant fails to meet the terms of a Tenancy Agreement, that Tenant will be ineligible to exercise the option to purchase the Housing Unit, and Simpcw may re-allocate the Housing Unit in accordance with the allocation procedures set out in this Policy.
There are five programs available through the Market Housing Program. They are build new, purchase, renovate, refinance and rentals.
Once you submit your application to SFN’s Housing department we will review it to confirm your eligibility for the program. You have to meet 3 items to be eligible:
- Membership status
- No debt owing to SFN
- You have identified your home lot
After these are confirmed the Housing Department will provide a conditional letter of guarantee.
Next you will have to qualify for a loan with the bank on your own or with a co-signor. The bank will look at these items to be eligible:
- Good Credit
- Good Job Tenure (min 2 year employment usually)
- Income to support loan
- Current debt ratio
Once you are approved with the bank you will have to meet all the program policy as well as the terms set out by your bank loan.
Once all terms and conditions are set and all parties have signed documents you are ready to build, purchase, renovate, refinance your home.
Congratulations!
Check back here, with Housing for any events or news!!
CMHC Home Care: A Guide to Repair and Maintenance – Click Here
CMHC: Home Maintenance Schedule – Click Here
Fraser Basin Council – Webinar replay’s on energy efficancy – Click Here
Here are a list of Grants/Rebates you can apply for your home and learning:
- Fraser Basin Council – First Nations Home EnergySave Learning Grant Program. Up to $1,000 towards your educational program – Click here
- BC Hydro Residential Rebates – Click Here
- Canada Lung Associate – Radon Mitigation Grant Program, up to $1500 – Click Here
Housing Documents