Housing Authorities Some Models to Explore

Why consider establishing a Housing Authority? To avoid political interference To have a clear structure for reporting and accountability To have an efficient decision-making process Why do some communities establish Housing Authorities? Some common reasons include: To avoid micromanagement from top levels. To avoid political interference in decision-making. To ensure a clear structure for reporting and accountability. While a housing authority may be useful for greater efficiency or even for improving decision-making, it is not necessarily an automatic solution to end political interference or prevent / eliminate conflicts of interest.

Some models to explore Community-Based Incorporated Housing Authority Tribal Council or Regional Housing Authority Unincorporated Community Housing Agency First Nation Housing Department Most autonomous Least Autonomous

1. Community-Based Incorporated Housing Authority May act independently of Chief and Council. Can sign contracts and possibly take on debt. Reports to a Board of Directors or Committee composed of community members, experts or members of Chief and Council. Is accountable to Chief and Council, but can make all key housing decisions.

Community-Based Incorporated Housing Authority Possible Benefits Can address the issue of political interference in housing. Decisions and appeals can become more objective. Allows Band Councils to focus on other key areas. Possible Challenges Initial investment costs could be high. Requires significant, ongoing support from political leadership.

2. Tribal Council or Regional Housing Authority May act independently of Chief and Council. May represent more than one First Nation band or an entire Nation / Tribe. May appoint community representatives. May be accountable to more than one Chief and Council.

Tribal Council or Regional Housing Authority Possible Benefits Tribal Council is already a functioning organization. Decisions and appeals may be more objective. Can allow the Band Councils to focus on other areas. Possible Challenges Can incur high costs for transition, planning and implementation. Its mission may overlap or conflict with the Tribal Council’s. Must have ongoing support from all communities.

3. Unincorporated Community Housing Agency May not have a separate legal structure from Chief and Council; therefore, it may not always be acting independently of political leadership. May be delegated authority from Chief and Council May detach its operations from the community. An unincorporated Community Housing Agency is accountable to Chief and Council.

Unincorporated Community Housing Agency Possible Benefits Decisions and appeals are more objective. Communities can have some control / influence. May lead to successful rent collection in all participating communities. Possible Challenges May require extensive community consultation. Can incur high costs for transition, planning & implementation. As authorities are delegated, future political interference may occur.

4. First Nation Housing Department Does not have a separate legal structure from Chief and Council. May not have the authority to act independently of political leadership--- its authority is delegated from Chief and Council. May be unable to detach its operations from the community. It can operate without a significant organizational restructuring cost. A Housing Department is accountable to Chief and Council.

First Nation Housing Department Possible Benefits Little to no transition, planning and implementation costs. Bands continue their role in managing housing affairs. Possible Challenges Existing problems (ex: arrears) remain unsolved. Political interference may continue uninhibited.

In Summary Features Community Based Incorp. Housing Auth. Tribal Council or Reg. Housing Auth. Unincorp. Community Housing Agency First Nation Housing Dept. Accountable to Chief and Council  Legal structure to act independently   Can operate independently of Chief and Council Ability to make all major decisions Delegated authority Responsible for more than one First Nation Possibly Detaches program from community No autonomy

Thank You . To be filled in by CMHC staff – contact info, etc.