Friday, August 20, 2010

Housing in the Reserve

Housing for Reserves (and for the poor in general) is a common issue among Indians in Canada. There are not enough houses for the population. Many homes are over crowded or are in need of repair.
I bought a house in the Reserve when I was 20 years old. I paid two thousand for it. Yep, two thousand dollars. The land was not mine (no one owns land in the Reserve, and houses are not assets in any financial institutions) and there was an issue with the land. An older gentleman and his kids lived in the that house. Another guy in the Reserve said that it was his land so the people should move out of that house or move the house. It got so bad that the guy that was claiming the land fought the son of the old man who owned the house.
So I bought the house. My ex's father purchased the land from the angry guy. So it was okay for me to move in to the house. Well I longed since moved but the house has been still in the Reserve. My daughter was given the house. She didn't live there but let others stay in the house and sometimes she rented it out for one hundred or hundred fifty. The last family moved out last month. The house is run down from all the different people that have passed through the house.
My niece was going to move into the house this month but on the weekend someone burned the house. It didn't burn to the ground but there is considerable damage.
Not sure if the house is repairable.
Too bad for my daughter and for my niece who has to find a place to live.

In Canada there is a popular television housing contractor who has now signed a partnership with the Assembly of First Nations to assist with the housing issues of Indian people. I wonder how that will work.

Housing sure is an issue everywhere.

On an unrelated topic, I am going to Las Vegas in September.
Yeah Baby, it's Vegas.
If I get the chance I am going to go look at this house. 4243 E. Carey Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89115

It is a concept that may be cheaper than regular houses and have a better shelf life. Not sure of the science behind the Dome houses and how they are made.

There are other houses that may be viable in the climate up in Canada such as this house.
"Haven home packages are priced by the panel. A standard Haven LoeksLog® panel is 8’ high by 8’ long, and is priced at $1150/panel (CAD). For example, the 24’x24’ home pictured above has 12panels. In this example, the exterior shell costs $13,800. (CAD)"

The standard houses in the Reserve just don't seem to be have a long shelf life. Maybe it has to do with the construction or the maintenance or both.
So alternatives to the standard home might be something for the Indians to consider.

Some Reserves have very tough conditions and severe climate, so innovative housing might be a good idea.

3 comments:

  1. I've been to Italy Texas where they have the Monolithic Dome Home factory, it's quite an impressive place, you do a "self tour", no one bothers you, they pretty much leave you alone until you are ready to talk to them, they are very friendly and willing to answer any questions. If you ever get to this part of the world, it's worth a visit. :)

    Wretha

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  2. The place in image is so beautiful even it is true if i called that this is mind relaxing place i think most of people will agree with me.

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  3. Before I could even consider repairs to the house someone came and finished the job and burned the house to the ground. Lot of houses get burned in The Reserve. Sadly.

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