The First Nations Housing Professionals Association
The First Nations Housing Professionals Association (FNHPA)was incorporated on January 1, 2019. This national, professional, non-profit organization was established to help provide leadership in the housing industry and to support housing professionals. The FNHPA is the only centre in Canada to certify individuals with the professional standards and other services to be successful in the housing positions of the First Nation Organizations.
Housing professionals serve their communities by supporting existing and future housing in their community. Their new sponsorship program and TD Upskilling program can help cover some of those costs. This can be applied to the course costs, membership fees, and conference registration fees, reducing barriers to education and training with upskilling or micro-credentialing support.
A First Nation Housing Professional (FNHP) helps serve their community, continuously develops their skills in their career, and follows the high standards of ethics in Housing Management. Some of the tasks of housing professionals that are important to Housing are working with the most up-to-date housing practices, addressing the housing issues in their communities, understanding the tenants’ concerns, and developing strategies for housing business plans. The Housing Manager is responsible for establishing and following housing policies, operations management, financial management, and managing clients and supervising.
By using technology, experience, and decision-making as the front line to support the housing department this training program can help you learn everything you need to know to be a successful First Nation Housing Professional.
Courses and Certifications
The National Competency Standards has helped develop the First Nations Housing Professionals Program and the five courses it covers:
- FNHP 100 – First Nations & Infrastructure
- FNHP 200 – First Nations Housing Strategy, Policy, & accountability
- FNHP 300 – Management of Housing Programs
- FNHP 400 – Housing Management Functional Supports
- FNHP 500 – Professionalism, Ethics & Critical Skills
The student will take the National Professional Examination and if successful they will have to gain two years of experience or practicum (practical experience) before being certified by the board.
Becoming a member of the FNHPA can also offer you a discount on the Housing Program. Renewing your membership by March 31, 2024, can help, by offering the annual conference and two full semesters at discounted rates. The FNHPA offers memberships yearly from April 1st, 2024, to March 31st, 2025, but you must renew your membership yearly. The cost of these memberships varies, depending on your experience:
- $150 Corporate Individual Association members
- $250 Corporate Association members
- $750 Corporate Business/Government
- $300 for Non-profit organizations interested in First Nation Housing
- $150 annual fee for members (plus applicable taxes)
- $150 for Candidate members
- $300 for Certified members
*Memberships are non-refundable or transferable.
*Employers may encourage their employees to the FNHP Program.
*To start this program, you will need $850 for online delivery and the Intensive delivery starts at $2,200 (taxes applicable).
Members
Members are trained for 12 weeks to be highly skilled professionals developing strategies and techniques for delivering housing business plans and services. FNHP’s are trained to be experts in First Nation Housing and today the need for more First Nation Housing Professionals has never been greater.
The First Nations Housing Professionals Association has programs & services that can benefit the First Nation Housing Professionals as listed:
- First Nations Housing Professional (FNHP) Certification
- Standards of Ethical Conduct
- Standards for Professional Competencies and Professional Developmental programs
- Annual Conference and Trade Show
- First Nations Housing Management News (focus on practices and issues)
- Provincial/Regional Networks
- Knowledge Centre for best practices and tools
- Research, Information & Networking
- Career Support Services
- Members Directory for Potential Benchmarking Partners
The First Nations Housing Professionals program runs two times a year. The winter semester is from January to April and the Fall semester begins from September to December. Over 12 weeks, students will have 7 lessons with 2 assignments. In those 12 weeks, the students are required to read the course material, participate in class discussions, interact with each other, and share experiences, resources, and concerns with each other. Students are encouraged to study 3 to 7 hours on a lesson and complete 1 lesson a week and a quiz after each lesson.
*If you miss the withdrawal date you will need to pay a cancellation fee of $250.00.
*If you cancel right before the first lesson starts, after the first withdrawal date, you will incur a $250.00 administrative cancellation fee.
The National Professional Exam costs $500.00 to write, once you’ve completed the course successfully you can take it. The exam is based on competency standards and the FNHPA does offer an Exam Prep Course that they do recommend, but it does cost $750.00. The FNHPA also offers PLAR, the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. A formal evaluation and credit-granting that students may obtain.
If you already have 7 years or more experience in the First Nations Housing Professionals field, you may be eligible to challenge the certification by making your professional portfolio. If you meet over 80% of the competencies, and the assessors also agree, you may be qualified to get your First Nation Housing Professional Certification.
The first 25 applicants are free, but after that, the cost of the application is $650.00. The prior learning and assessment packages are designed to help build your portfolio. In PDF format, the files are:
- The PLAR Information Guide
- The PLAR Self-Assessment Tool
- The PLAR Evidence Grid
These guides can help you demonstrate your expertise in First Nation Housing, review your professional development and determine if you can go straight for your certificate. When inquiring about the PLAR assessment contact Jim Pealow, Special Advisor (613)839-0085 if you need more info.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Membership & Communications
First Nation Housing Professionals Association
FNHPA
202-300 March Road,
Ottawa ON, Canada K9K
Phone Number: 1-800-360-6114
Phone Number: (613)702-3166
Fax Number: (613)702-0380
Email: info@FNHPA.ca
By: Tricia Cook, Content Navigator