For many Métis families across British Columbia, the dream of homeownership represents more than just acquiring property. It symbolizes stability, self-determination, and the ability to build a lasting legacy.
At MFC, we believe every Métis individual and family deserves the opportunity to own a home. That’s why we are proud to deliver the First-Time Home Buyers Program — a financial support initiative created specifically to bridge the gaps that many Métis citizens face when stepping into the housing market.
Buying a first home is a significant milestone, but it can often feel daunting. High real estate prices, upfront costs, and systemic inequities have made homeownership seem out of reach for many Indigenous people. MFC is committed to changing that narrative and helping Métis citizens plant deep roots for generations to come.
Why Homeownership Matters for Métis Families
Owning a home is one of the most powerful ways to build financial security, but for Métis families, it carries even deeper meaning.
Historically, Métis communities faced displacement, exclusion from land rights, and systemic barriers to property ownership. For many, reclaiming the right to own land is a profound act of empowerment — a way to affirm identity, reclaim space, and create a permanent presence in places their ancestors helped to build.
When a Métis family buys a home, they are not just purchasing walls and a roof. They are creating a safe place where culture can flourish, where children can grow up rooted in pride, and where financial stability can be passed from one generation to the next.
In a province where housing prices continue to rise, and where Indigenous people continue to experience economic inequities, programs like the First-Time Home Buyers Program are essential. They offer a way to turn hope into reality.
What Is the First-Time Home Buyers Program?
The First-Time Home Buyers Program is an initiative created to assist eligible Métis citizens in purchasing their first home in British Columbia. Recognizing that upfront costs are often the greatest barrier to homeownership, the program provides financial assistance that can significantly lighten the burden.
Program highlights include:
- Up to $20,000 toward the down payment on a first home
- Up to $3,000 toward closing costs (including legal fees and taxes)
- Financial support provided through a forgivable loan, meaning no repayment is required if program conditions are met for five years
This program is designed with accessibility and fairness in mind. It provides real, tangible help that can mean the difference between continuing to rent indefinitely or finally stepping into ownership.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for MFC’s First-Time Home Buyers Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a registered citizen with Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) or prove eligibility for MNBC citizenship
- Be a resident of British Columbia for at least one year
- Be purchasing their first home, or not have owned a home in the past 3 years
- Be able to secure a mortgage from a recognized financial institution
Importantly, the program is designed to complement, not replace, traditional mortgage financing. Applicants must qualify for a mortgage independently; MFC’s contribution is intended to ease the upfront burden, not fund the full purchase.
How the Process Works
The path to accessing the First-Time Home Buyers Program is supportive and straightforward. Here’s what applicants can expect:
1. Initial Inquiry and Information Session
Prospective homeowners are encouraged to reach out to MFC early in their homebuying journey. Our team will explain the program’s details, answer any questions, and guide applicants on what documentation they will need.
2. Application Submission
Applicants complete a formal application form, providing basic personal information, MNBC citizenship verification, and preliminary mortgage approval if available. MFC staff are available to help applicants through each step.
3. Approval and Funding Agreement
If eligibility criteria are met, the applicant receives an approval letter outlining the amount of financial support and the conditions attached to the forgivable loan.
4. Home Purchase and Funding Release
Once the home purchase is finalized, MFC disburses funds directly to the appropriate parties (typically the legal notary handling the home closing) to ensure the funds are applied correctly.
5. Five-Year Forgiveness Period
If the homeowner continues to own and occupy the home as their primary residence for five years, the loan is fully forgiven — no repayment required.
This supportive model ensures that Métis citizens not only access homeownership but do so in a way that builds long-term stability.
Why Homeownership Is a Powerful Step for Métis Families
Owning a home allows Métis people to reclaim space, build equity, and pass something meaningful on to future generations. But for many, the dream of owning a home can feel distant, especially in a province where housing costs are high and financial systems often don’t reflect Indigenous experiences.
MFC believes in changing that narrative. Homeownership should be possible for all who want it, not just those with wealth or generational privilege.
Through our First-Time Home Buyers Program, we’re helping Métis families across BC access practical resources and financial support in ways that reflect our shared values: equity, respect, and self-determination.
Real-World Impact: Changing Lives, One Home at a Time
Imagine a young Métis family who has spent years renting small apartments, moving frequently, never feeling fully settled. With support from MFC’s First-Time Home Buyers Program, they are finally able to put down roots — purchasing a home where their children can grow up with stability and security.
Or picture a single Métis professional who has dreamed of homeownership but has struggled to save a large enough down payment while managing student loans. Through the program’s contribution assistance, they cross the finish line to ownership, building equity that will support future investments and family goals.
These aren’t hypotheticals — these are the real stories unfolding today thanks to MFC’s commitment to supporting Métis homeownership.
Since launching in 2023, the program has helped over 100 families achieve homeownership by providing down payment and closing cost assistance for their first homes.
Homeownership and Generational Wealth
One of the most powerful aspects of homeownership is its ability to build wealth that can be passed on to future generations. Unlike renting, where payments build equity for landlords, owning a home allows Métis families to build financial assets that grow over time.
For Métis people who have historically been excluded from wealth-building opportunities, reclaiming this pathway is vital.
A home can be a foundation for business startups, education funding, retirement security, and more — creating lasting impacts that stretch far beyond one individual owner.
By investing in homeownership today, Métis families are investing in generational stability, opportunity, and self-determination.
How MFC Supports Métis Homebuyers Beyond Financing
MFC’s commitment to Métis citizens doesn’t end with writing a cheque. We are deeply invested in our clients’ long-term success as homeowners.
In addition to financial assistance, MFC offers:
- One-on-one support during the mortgage and closing process
- Referrals to trusted Indigenous and mainstream financial partners
- Ongoing check-ins to ensure homeowners are thriving in their new spaces
We believe that true support means walking alongside clients throughout their journey — not just at the starting line.
The Future of Métis Homeownership in BC
As more Métis families access homeownership through programs like ours, the impacts will be transformative.
Communities will become stronger as more Métis families achieve stable housing. Children will grow up with deeper roots in their neighborhoods. Wealth will begin to shift hands in ways that reflect fairness and reconciliation.
The dream is not just for individual homeowners — it is for a stronger, healthier, more resilient Métis Nation across British Columbia.
MFC is proud to play a role in building that future, one homeowner at a time.
Reach out to MFC today to learn more about the First-Time Home Buyers Program.
Let’s open the door to a brighter, stronger future — together.
