In total, eight two-bedroom units will be available in the next six months on-reserve in La Ronge, Little Red River and Sucker River. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

new housing

Duplexes to be built on-reserve in La Ronge, Little Red River and Sucker River

Apr 15, 2021 | 5:15 PM

In the next six months, duplexes will be built on-reserve in La Ronge, Little Red River and Sucker River as part of a $17 million federal rapid housing initiative announced earlier today.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson explained the First Nation was approved for four duplexes with two to be built on-reserve in La Ronge, one in Little Red River and one in Sucker River. She noted each unit will be 1,520 square feet with two bedrooms, one bathroom, be wheelchair accessible and will be allocated to band members 60 years old and up.

“We’re hoping to have the housing units up and ready by August 2021, so this summer,” Cook-Searson said. “Units will be affordable, so rent will only be $200 and it covers maintenance, replacement reserve, appliances and fire insurance.”

The total cost of the project is $1.6 million with $1,480,000 coming from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The band itself is contributing $124,000 to the initiative.

Cook-Searson mentioned the units will exceed the energy efficiency standards by 10 per cent, as set out in the 2015 National Building Code. They will also meet accessibility requirements and include appliances such as a fridge, stove, washer, dryer and microwave.

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Cook-Searson also thinks it’s good that the units will be for band members 60 years old and up.

“A lot of times we will build big family units and there’s a high need too for seniors who also don’t have their own housing units,” she said. “It will meet some of the need for the seniors who are looking for their homes.”

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band was assisted by Prince Albert Grand Council in preparing the application to the federal government.

Other Indigenous communities to benefits from today’s announcement are Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation, Big River First Nation, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Muskoday First Nation, Saulteaux First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation and Witchekan Lake First Nation.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno