Membership

The Métis Urban Housing Association of Saskatchewan Inc. was incorporated in 1992 when six member corporations came together with a common focus. The individualism of the corporations has now transformed into a unified organization with a sense of security. This sense of security and trust has allowed MUHAS to partner with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation as an Associate Member in the organization.

The following is an overview of what MUHAS can provide for your Aboriginal housing organization as well as some of the major accomplishments to date:

Involvement in National Housing Issues

MUHAS is a member of the Canadian Housing & Renewal Association. The CHRA is the national voice for those seeking to make homes more affordable and energy efficient, working to end homelessness, providing housing on the ground level, administering its funding and any other concerned organizations and individuals who believe that all Canadians should have a decent, adequate and affordable place to call home. Everything CHRA does supports their four key pillars:

- Promote affordable housing
- End homelessness
- Renew our communities
- Support a sustainable housing profession

To learn more about The Canadian Housing & Renewal Association, go to http://www.chra-achru.ca.

Staff Health Benefit and Pension Package

Funding was provided in the operating budgets to allow the member organizations to implement a comprehensive health and pension package to their staff.

Association Staffing

The signing of the new Operating and Contribution Agreements provided the corporations with an avenue to undertake new initiatives. In order to maximize what is available to MUHAS, yet not take away time that managers need to spend at their own corporations, SHC and the MUHAS organizations jointly provide financial resources to employ a Manager. This position manages the administration of MUHAS and assists the corporations in undertaking business plans and projects.

Métis Housing Trust Funds

Through negotiations SHC and MUHAS developed a plan for the delivery of the Métis Housing Trust Funds. An Agreement was accepted where the individual corporations would receive an allotment of funds to carry out specific types of repairs, major renovations and new construction.

Urban Housing Administration Program

A two year Cadre training program provided administrative training in housing. Several of the trainees eventually went to work for the member corporations.

Métis Urban Social Housing Rental Program Operating and Contribution Agreement

This Operating Agreement is the first of its kind between a province and Aboriginal groups and was signed by the member organizations in 2000. This Agreement took several years of negotiating and consultation and has allowed more flexibility in managing the housing portfolios.

Business Planning

The corporations were provided with financial assistance to undertake two business planning workshops to enable them to better manage their housing portfolios.

Staff/Board Training Workshops

Financial assistance was provided to facilitate training for the following:

Tenant counselors and their relationship with the Office of the Rentalsman
Maintenance staff training, including ‘WHMIS’
Board of Directors training on roles and responsibilities

Associate Membership

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation has been an Associate Member of MUHAS for several years. Our working partnership with SHC has been of immense value to MUHAS and its member organizations in helping to provide safe, affordable homes for our tenants.

To learn more about SHC, go to http://www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca/housing/.