OFNTSC’s mandate is to provide advisory services to Unaffiliated First Nation communities in Ontario.  The Housing & Infrastructure programs provide technical advisory services in all areas of housing to First Nations and Tribal Councils in Ontario.  Our services include training and capacity development, housing policy review, technical support for the development of business plans and funding proposals and providing technical advice to national and regional First Nations organizations.

History

In 1995, the Infrastructure Service was one of the inaugural services offered by the OFNTSC to First Nations Tribal Councils. The Infrastructure Program originally began as an inspection service for First Nations not affiliated with a Tribal Council. Over the years as the program evolved, training for building inspectors, introduction of new building techniques and construction and support for ISC reporting systems came into place.

Benefits of Using the Housing Service

• Provides advice to improve housing designs
• OFNTSC staff have a better understanding of the overall housing stock maintenance issues within Ontario to provide solutions tried and tested in other communities
• Home inspections completed on time by certified inspectors, with follow up reporting by inspectors
• Enhanced housing policies as it relates to tenants and owners
• Empowers housing departments to be self-sufficient
• Provides information to housing departments which will inform community members of requirements to build and maintain homes
• Housing stock deficiencies can be identified earlier, to lower costs for maintenance issues
• Homes will be built to applicable building code standards as qualified by First Nations
• Higher quality homes being built with energy-efficient designs
• Community expansion plans identified years in advance of building homes
• We’ll work with external organizations/government bodies to secure funding

OFNTSC Housing Service Features