Huu-ay-aht First Nations has made taking care of our elders a priority. The Nation must ensure elders have access to the things they need to continue to live a comfortable, healthy life.
This week, Executive Council passed a motion to create an Elder Healthy Home Grant Pilot Project for Huu-ay-aht elders living in Anacla. The project will be funded until March 31, 2018, and it has a budget to a maximum of $250,000.
The purpose of the pilot project is to provide one-time assistance to Huu-ay-aht elders in Anacla to make repairs, perform maintenance, and/or make improvements to their permanent, long-term residence that is reasonably necessary to healthy and safe living conditions.
“Our elders have worked hard to build Huu-ay-aht into the strong Nation it is today,” explains Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr. “Taking care of our elders is a priority. Our treaty has created many opportunities for our Nation, and we must ensure that our elders see those benefits.”
The Chief Councillor added that, to avoid conflict of interest, he will not be applying for the program.
This funding will be offered only once, and it should be used only when all other financial avenues have been exhausted. Funding cannot be used for personal gain or reoccurring costs. If a project is approved, the Huu-ay-aht government will coordinate and pay for the provisions of services and related materials. Should the citizen choose to do the job themselves, the Huu-ay-aht government will pay for the materials. Unless otherwise agreed upon, payment will be made directly to the vendor or person providing the service or supplies.
Following the completion of the pilot project on March 31, 2018, the policy will be reviewed, and it may or may not be expanded, modified, or continued. The maximum elders can apply for is $20,000 per residence. If the required work exceeds this amount, the work will be prioritized so that the most pressing issues are addressed.
The following considerations must be made in each case:
- Huu-ay-aht First Nations will be the last resort payer.
- Huu-ay-aht will require consent from the owner of the residence where it is not the elder, to make the repairs, maintenance and improvements.
- Huu-ay-aht will require the owner of the residence where it is not the elder, to provide assurances satisfactory to the Nation that the Elders will be able to stay in the residence for a minimum of two years after the work is completed.
- Point of contact with the applicant is the Director of Infrastructure and Capital or his or her designate.
- Infrastructure and Facilities Lead, will work with applicants to complete their application, evaluate the cost and eligibility of proposed repairs, maintenance and improvements, obtain Huu-ay-aht approvals and coordinate the carrying out of the approved expenditures.
- There will be no retroactive reimbursement to elders for expenses previously paid
- The period of time between receipt of a completed application and a decision on the application will be no longer than 10 working days.
- The Executive Director has the sole discretion to provide any required clarification of this pilot project policy and where necessary to establish additional conditions or parameters providing they are consistent with and contribute to the achievement of the purpose of this pilot project policy.
To be an eligible expenditure, the job must contribute directly to their healthy and safe living conditions. The repairs, maintenance, or improvements may involve:
- All roofing components, which include but are not limited to shingles, flashings, eaves troughs, chimneys, as well as facia;
- Building envelope – all of the elements of the outer shell that maintain a dry, heated, or cooled indoor environment and facilitate climate control, as well as wall finishes including exterior/interior painting and washing;
- Heating systems;
- Domestic hot water tanks, septic systems;
- Kitchen facilities such as sink and faucet installations, counter tops and cabinets;
- Bathroom facilities such as toilets, sinks and fixtures, vanities, tubs and fixtures;
- Interior floor coverings;
- All appliances;
- All structural components related to the actual structure of the house.
If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Rayner, Director of Lands, Resources, and Infrastructure at 250-723-0100 or Stephen.r@huuayaht.org. For a copy of the application, click on the link: elder healthy home application. Where there is a disagreement under the pilot project policy, for example regarding the eligibility of a repair, maintenance, or upgrade item, the final decision resides with the Executive Director.