MCK Housing Assessment Final Report accepted by Chief and Council

04/05/2019

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Chief & Council have accepted the MCK Housing Assessment Final Report (“the Report”) and the progress of the recommendations contained within. The Summary Report is now available at www.kahnawake.com/housing.

The Report was presented by Executive Financial Officer Paul Rice at the Council meeting this past Monday, 1 Onerahtókha/April. It contains the following information:

•    $695,000 is the write-off amount calculated as of March 31, 2019 – an amount that includes the original $145,000 identified as ‘misappropriated’
•    The fraud was perpetrated against clients who made rental or mortgage cash payments at the Housing Department – mainly those who were, at one point in time, in arrears
•    34 affidavits complete or nearly complete

There is  no update on the criminal complaint, as this is beyond the scope of the Report and remains in the hands of the Kahnawake Peacekeepers.

The Summary Report also includes the progress of the recommendations accepted earlier by Chief & Council, and an update of activities that are either completed or are underway. Among these is the restructuring of the MCK’s Finance Department to create an independent authority to revamp financial controls, as well as the transition of Housing from a Department to a Unit with revised policies and procedures, additional staffing and a strategic shift to a ‘social/client needs’ focus. 

“Although this is the final housing report, Finance will continue to reconcile accounts and is hiring a financial controller to implement tighter controls across the organization,” said Mr. Rice. “The restructured MCK Housing Department will also move forward with improved products and services and continue to work to address the housing issues facing Kahnawa’kehrò:non.”

The Revolving Loan Fund will continue to provide new construction mortgages for the community in 2019 until the Housing Survey Results are fully analyzed. New products and services will be implemented for the 2020 building season.