In the days following one of the worst storms to hit our shores, we are reflecting on the struggles now faced by individuals and families who have lost their homes and belongings.  It is a difficult moment to be sure, and our thoughts and prayers are with those facing these challenges.

At this time, we would like to take the opportunity to remind Band members, specifically those most severely impacted along the south coast, about our Emergency Housing Repair Program and invite them to get in touch to discuss options under this program, and other supports available through Qalipu’s Housing Division.

For more on housing support programs, click here

To reach out and discuss what we can do to help, please contact Jason at 709-634-0411.

 

Emergency Support Application
FAQ

Introduction:

“I’tesnen: We Are Staying” Qalipu Emergency Housing Response Program aims to help prevent and reduce homelessness among our members. Existing support(s) include:

• Emergency Housing Repair – Provide financial assistance (maximum $5,000 per household) to existing homeowner(s) in need of emergency repair(s) that would cause the homeowner to leave their home immediately.
• Housing Set Up – Provide housing/rental startup assistance such as first month’s rent and/or last month, damage deposit, and/or utilities assistance up to $2,000 per application.
• Emergency Short Term Accommodations – Provide hotel placement for a maximum of ten (10) nights.

“Indigenous homelessness refers to Indigenous Peoples who are in the state of having no home due to colonization, trauma and/or whose social, cultural, economic, and political conditions place them in poverty. Having no home includes: those who alternate between shelter and unsheltered, living on the street, couch surfing, using emergency shelters, living in unaffordable, inadequate, substandard and unsafe accommodations or living without the security of tenure; anyone regardless of age, released from facilities (such as hospitals, mental health and addiction treatment centers, prisons, transition houses), fleeing unsafe homes as a result of abuse in all its definitions, and any youth transitioning from all forms of care”

– Reaching Home Indigenous NL

 

Program Eligibility:

• Applicant/Co-Applicant must be a registered member of Qalipu First Nation
• Applicant must identify as an individual who is currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• Applicant/Co-Applicant are required to be a resident of Newfoundland & Labrador
• Applicant must NOT be currently supported by the provincial, territorial, or municipal welfare and/or rent supplement program(s)
• Based on submission of required documents. Funding is limited.

Please Note: *If housing ownership is in the name of a non-member spouse or partner (co-applicant), you may still submit your application with housing ownership supporting document; however, it will be necessary to provide further documentation to support that you are a resident of the same household.

**Emergency Short Term Accommodations may be provided to non Qalipu indigenous community members who are homeless and/or at risk of becoming homeless.

 

Application Process:

• Qalipu application collection will be based on submission date and will be processed until funds have been exhausted. All applications will be reviewed and assessed as they are submitted, based on level of emergency, amount of funding available, and in reference to the definition of Indigenous Homelessness as outlined by Reaching Homes Indigenous NL
• Limit of one application per household. Duplicate applications will not be reviewed. In the event duplicate applications are received, QFN will consider the first application as the valid submission
• All applications require name, accurate mailing address/street address (if different from mailing address), Band registration #, phone number and/or email address, and supporting documentation including proof of homeownership/rental agreement, and proof of combined annual income
• If you have any questions or require support regarding your application, please email jpark@qalipu.ca or thulan@qalipu.ca
• FOR ASSISTANCE FILLING OUT YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT: JASON (709) 634-0411 OR TRAVIS (709) 634-3176

Emergency Support Application
FAQ

Update: June 1, 2022- The deadline to submit applications under the Home Accessibility Support Program has been reached. Individuals whose applications were successful will be notified by our Housing Development Team.

Qalipu First Nation (QFN) Housing Division is pleased to launch the Home Accessibility Support Program Monday, April 4, 2022. The Home Accessibility Support Program (HASP) serves to provide financial support opportunities for QFN band members who reside in Newfoundland and Labrador and living with disabilities. While funding for HASP is limited at this time, the collection of data and need for similar programs will be thoroughly assessed during this first launch.

HASP is intended to provide such financial supports toward housing retrofits and modifications to increase accessibility, functionality, sustainability, and longevity, that will ensure a safe and sound standard of living specific to the members needs . Applicants must submit all required documentation by May 31, 2022 and successful applicants that may be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $2,500.00 in assistance will be notified before June 30, 2022.

For full details, applications, and assistance for QFN Home Accessibility Support Program Click Here: Home Accessibility Support Program

Update, July 22, 2022: Qalipu First Nation (QFN) Housing Division are committed to working our members to achieve their housing goals, including repair and maintenance for homeowners. At this time, we would like to thank everyone who applied to the “Housing Repair Program”. Unfortunately, due to limited funding available under this program and a high volume of received applications, not all applicants will be supported. With this in mind, only those successful will be notified by the end of the day Friday, July 22nd, 2022. With over 350 applications received and $200,000.00 in available funding, approximately 15% of those applications received funding support.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Housing Division team. Any additional housing support programs that come available in the near future will be posted on our website www.qalipu.ca and Facebook page.

 

Update, June 24th, 2022: The deadline to submit applications under the Home Repair Program has now been reached. Successful applicants will be notified by our Housing Support Team.

Qalipu First Nation (QFN) Housing Division is pleased to announce the launch of the Home Repair Program Monday April 25th, 2022. The Home Repair Program (HRP) serves to provide financial assistance up to $5,000.00 for QFN band members who reside in Newfoundland & Labrador. While funding is limited, the collection of data and need for similar programs will be thoroughly assessed during this launch.

HRP is intended to provide such financial assistance towards housing repairs to increase the functionality, sustainability, and longevity that will ensure a safe and sound standard of living specific to members needs. Applicants must submit all required documentation by June 24th, 2022. It is strongly encouraged that applicants and/or co-applicants review the application in its entirety to ensure all required documentation is included before mailing it back to QFN Housing Division. Applicants and/or co-applicants with questions surrounding the application process can reach out to 709-634-3176 or 709-634-0411.

Program Eligibility:

• Applicant must be a registered member of Qalipu First Nation
• Applicant and/or Co-Applicant are required to be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Applicant is required to provide proof of combined annual income, proof of home ownership, and sales quotes for materials, supplies, and labour
• Requirement of combined household income must be below $34,866.00, based on Government definition of “Low Income Taxable Reduction – LITR”
• Additional supporting documents such as, letter of support, letter from service NL, and/or photographs may be requested

A co-applicant can be the homeowner who is a not a member of the band, and is applying for their live-in dependent, who is a registered band member. Additionally, a co-applicant can be a member of the band applying for a dependent, who is not a registered member of the band.

Please Note: If housing ownership is in the name of a non-member spouse or partner (co-applicant), it will be necessary to provide further documentation to support that you are a resident of the same household.

Here are some quick points to be brought to the attention of band members when filling out your application:

• Combined annual household NET income must be below $34,866.00, this is based on the Government’s definition of “Low Income Taxable Reduction – LITR”
• Copy of 2021 Tax Assessment MUST be included with application as a supporting document
• Applicants have until June 24^th, 2022, to submit their application. This program is not based on first come first serve. Applications WILL not be reviewed until after June 24^th, 2022.
• ALL supporting documentation MUST be included with each application. If application is deemed incomplete, then the application may not be reviewed or processed.
• Proof of homeownership can be proven in a few different ways including:
  • Property tax
  • Copy of mortgage or deed
  • Proof of purchase and/or sale

If you have any questions or require further support regarding your application, please email: thulan@qalipu.ca or jpark@qalipu.ca OR call (709) 634-0411 or (709) 634-3176

Update: February 16, 2022
All categories for Elma’timk [To Go Home] Emergency Housing Support Program have closed as of March 15, 2022 and surpassed funding capacity.

The need for this programming under its categories of Emergency Short Term Accommodations, Shelter Diversion and Prevention, and Emergency Housing Repair and Maintenance was evident and thoroughly recorded. The Housing Division under the department of Qalipu First Nation Health and Wellness will continue to seek additional funding for this program and similar related opportunities for our members.

For future Qalipu First Nation programming updates you can visit us at qalipu.ca or follow facebook.com/QalipuFirstNation or facebook.com/groups/QalipuHealthAndWellness. You can additionally stay up to date on Qalipu first nation News by subscribing to our Weekly e-Newsletter here: qalipu.ca/maw-pemitajik-qalipuk

Newfoundland & Labrador EMERGENCY HOUSING LINE. For anyone experiencing homelessness,. please call: 1-833-724-2444. Or visit nlhc.nl.ca/contact/contact-nlhc

Original Post: https://qalipu.ca/elmatimk/