Frenchman’s Reserve Residences
Whether you’re looking for classic golf, grand homes or a gated country club lifestyle, you can find it at Frenchman’s Reserve. With only 391 single-family homes and 56 coach homes on 424 acres, this neighborhood provides an intimate experience.
In the 1960s, what was then Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) implemented a housing program to help build houses on reserves. An evaluation of that program in 1982 concluded that the government had essentially “dropped out” of housing on reserves, with band members now largely responsible for building their own homes and obtaining funding through other programs and lenders such as CMHC.
While the situation varies across the country, on-reserve Aboriginal people often face a host of other challenges. They are usually located in areas of the country that are remote, with fewer economic opportunities and little in the way of natural resources on reserve. Access to a variety of public services, including education and employment, is often restricted or difficult.
In addition, many reserves do not have adequate infrastructure, with a lack of fresh water and an overreliance on wood as a source of heat creating serious fire hazards that can result in tragic house fires. Insufficient access to medical and dental care and high rates of poverty, alcoholism and suicide are also common on reserves. Combined with the social disruption caused by generations of displacement, discriminatory legislation and residential schools, these conditions have contributed to the ongoing socio-economic challenges faced by Aboriginal communities in Canada.
Inadequate housing and other socio-economic conditions on reserves are among the greatest challenges for Indigenous Peoples. They have significant negative impacts on health, education and employment, contributing to the high levels of suicide, substance abuse and domestic violence seen in some communities.
A variety of innovative opportunities for more and better-quality housing are available for First Nations communities. These include grants for more affordable homes and the Ministerial Loan Guarantee to help communities obtain loans to build, buy or renovate their houses.
The housing on reserve is often of poor quality and overcrowded. This is often due to the high birth rate on the reserves and the slow rate of house construction. Overcrowding contributes to a number of social issues including children having trouble in school because they are so tired and sleep deprived. Moisture from overcrowded houses contributes to a range of health concerns, such as mould. reserve residences