Long Plain First Nation held a Market-Based Housing Program seminar at Keeshkeemaquah Centre yesterday. Consultant Gail Joe conducted the seminar, and says it's an information session to inform the community the program's available to those who want to enter individual ownership on reserve lands. She says they're offering competitive mortgage rates.

Gail Joe"As opposed to maybe not so much competitive mortgage rates or terms and conditions." Joe explains, "It makes it easy as far as streamlining the way the collateral security is taken between the bank, the First Nation and the borrower."

She notes the federal initiative provides collateral security through a guarantee from Chief and Council. Each first nation must apply, and 15 out of 63 reserves in Manitoba have done so, with two actually ready to implement it within their communities -- Long Plain First Nation and Fisher River Cree First Nation.

Joe notes applicants who don't want to rent a home must have stable employment and meet the mortgage criteria.