Home Enhancement Loan Program

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) will provide a one-time forgivable loan of up to $18,000 in Southern MB and $25,000 north of the 53^rd parallel (including taxes) to provide for emergency home repairs and renovations to improve, adapt, and maintain existing housing stock. The amount was recently increased from $15,000 to $18,000 to respond to an increase in construction costs.

In this program, safety and well-being is a priority, and preference will be given to Metis Citizens who demonstrate emergency or health and safety-related housing needs.

As HELP is designed for low to moderate income Metis Citizens, applicants must have a total gross annual household income not exceeding $90,000. The applicant household's total liquid assets inclusive of RRSP investments must also not exceed $300,000. The MMF will consider special circumstances for some applicants who do not meet these criteria.

*Due to the overwhelming demand for the program, applicants may experience delays for their repairs. Our team is working as fast as possible and we want to ensure applicants that your Metis government is working hard on your behalf. We are still accepting applications.*

Eligible expenditures can include:

Emergency home repairs
Home repairs and renovations
Upgrades for accessibility
Senior's upgrades for accessibility
Adapt unit to suit household composition
Electrical, sewer and water infrastructure, water and sewer testing

Ineligible expenditures include but are not limited to:

Purchase of land or outbuildings, land transfer costs
Administration, salaries or wage costs, legal costs
Purchase of mobile trailers for renovation and repair
Purchase of housing units to renovate and repair and sell
Costs associated with the development of drawings and/or blueprints
Costs associated with legal fees, consultation or permits

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who provides the quotes for the repairs to my home?

An inspector will secure quotes on behalf of the Homeowner for the repairs. Alternatively, the Homeowner may also provide quotes from a personally chosen contractor. It is desirable to have more than one quote to choose from, however we realize this may not always be possible especially in Rural and Northern locations.

Can we get reimbursed for work already completed and paid for by Homeowner?

No repairs to any property are to be started until the applicant has applied and been accepted into the MMF-HELP. The approved applicant must also sign a contract with the MMF and contractor before work can begin.

I have accessed the First Time Home Purchase Program (FTHPP) and have bought my first home, am I eligible for the MMF-HELP?

No, if you have received assistance from FTHPP you are not eligible for the MMF-HELP

I received a letter stating I am approved and an inspector will contact me, how long does it take?

Inspections are completed in community clusters based upon the number of applications submitted and approved. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, inspections may be delayed and are subject to public health guidelines.

Am I eligible for the additional $3000.00 after my repairs were completed?

No, if you have signed off on the Forgivable Loan Agreement to complete the repairs your account is considered closed and you cannot access the additional funds for repairs.

How long do I have to live in my home after the repairs were completed.

As per the MMF-HELP Program Guidelines, approved applicants must live in the repaired home as their primary residence for a period of five years. Failure to comply with this guideline may result in a default in your forgivable loan.

I am a MMF Citizen and live out of Province, am I eligible for the HELP program?

No, as per the MMF-HELP Program Guidelines, applicants must be a resident of Manitoba and must have lived in Manitoba for a period of six months to be eligible for the MMF-HELP.

What is the difference between Active MMF Citizenship Cards and the older cards?

An MMF Citizenship requires you to have a historic connection to the historic Métis Nation."Métis" means a person who self-identifies as Métis, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry, is distinct from other Aboriginal Peoples and is accepted by the Métis Nation." The historic ancestry component of the definition is confirmed through a Citizen's official genealogy obtained through a recognized institution. Alternatively, if your citizenship application has been approved and your card is being processed, you must obtain a letter from the Central Registry Office (CRO) confirming your application was approved and a card is in process of being issued. Please contact your Regional Office to request a letter from the CRO.

If you have questions regarding MMF Citizenship, please visit /central-registery-office-cro or contact your MMF Regional Office.

I have a newer MMF Citizenship Card but it is considered expired, is the card still accepted?

Yes, expired MMF Citizenship Cards are accepted granted they are the most recent cards issued to Metis Citizens. However, it is encouraged that you contact your Regional Office to renew your card as soon as possible.

For full program details and a complete list of what home improvements can be covered, please download the HELP Guidelines and Application below.

MMF HELP Program Guidlines

MMF HELP Application