AFN and Habitat for Humanity sign partnership

Habitat for Humanity Canada (HFHC) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) have partnered to improve housing in First Nations communities.
The Dec. 6 announcement said the collaboration will aim to increase First Nations involvement in Habitat projects and to enhance opportunities for First Nations people to further their knowledge and skills to all dimensions of housing.
"I thank Habitat for Humanity Canada for inviting AFN to this partnership,” said AFN chief Shawn Atleo in a press release. "This will enhance First Nations’ ability to explore new options to satisfy its housing needs. It sends a clear message to the Canadian public and government of Canada that we are open to engaging with other partners to satisfy our needs and priorities. Creating safer and healthier First Nations’ communities is one of our biggest challenges as First Nations leaders. We hope that this will be the catalyst to spur on other organizations, corporations and individuals to get involved with First Nations.”
Also, Habitat for Humanity Canada and AFN will be organizing a committee dedicated to overseeing and assessing the effectiveness of the work to be carried out under the new partnership. The committee will be co-chaired by one representative of AFN and one representative of Habitat for Humanity Canada.
"Habitat for Humanity Canada and our affiliate partners are committed to working with the Assembly of First Nations to implement solutions that will address the housing needs of Canada’s First Nations population,” said Stewart Hardacre, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. "Aboriginal Housing is a priority for HFHC over the next five years, so we look forward to partnering with AFN to affect change in more communities across Canada."
To date, Habitat for Humanity Canada has built over 35 homes as part of their Aboriginal Housing Program.