LKFN begins accepting applications for home renovation grant

Home renovation grants of up to $30,000 will soon be available for members of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation.

The new initiative, administered by the First Nation, is designed to help homeowners in Fort Simpson improve the health, safety and energy efficiency of their houses.

LKFN housing administrator Stan Knight says it could also help train skilled workers in the community.

When he first began working on the project, he said, one of the needs identified was a list of reliable contractors with the capacity to carry out the renovations needed.

“We’re hoping that announcing the grant program would actually create interest and and have a far-reaching effect across NWT, to elicit bigger contractors to look at LKFN as a possible place where they can come and set up shop and be guaranteed some reliable work,” said Knight.

“We’re trying to find contractors that are in the space for the right reasons and could be stewards of providing safe, comfortable homes.”

He said he’s looking to meet with contractors who would be open to training LKFN members to take on maintenance roles once the renovations are complete.

“Maintenance is one of the big things, right?” he said.

“If you have a leaky faucet outside and it’s not actioned within five years, that’s a rocky foundation that’s crumbling – so now it’s turned from a $5 repair to a $50,000 foundation repair.”

In the development stage of the grant program, Knight said, he inspected an initial 20 homes. About 70 percent were in need of repairs worth around $30,000 while the other 30 percent needed more extensive renovations that could reach about $200,000. (A 2024 report found about 26 percent of housing in Fort Simpson was in need of major repair.)

Knight said the grant program is intended for LKFN members who might be in a position to move forward with renovations but lack funds.

Funding is provided through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. Knight said LKFN would be interested in partnering with Housing NWT to grow the existing grants.

“We’re hoping to turn it from a $30,000 grant that’s being supplied by LKFN into maybe a $50,000 grant that’s coordinated with Housing NWT, other grant funds,” said Knight.

Currently, he says, the First Nation has the capacity to facilitate about 90 grants. He has already received about 85 applications.

The program covers things like replacing roofs, furnaces and fireplaces, plumbing and electrical upgrades, the installation of new windows, doors and insulation, and more.

Knight said the program will also involve developing a procurement policy that will allow LKFN to receive a bulk discount on materials such as windows and doors needed for the renovations.

Homeowners who are interested in the program can acquire an application form at the LKFN reception desk. Applicants will be required to sign a waiver and undergo a home inspection before being approved.

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