Off-Reserve Aboriginal Home Ownership Program (ORAH)

The program provides off-reserve Indigenous households, with modest incomes, financial assistance to buy or build their first home. Assistance is in the form of a 25-year loan with an affordable interest rate. The mortgage includes the purchase price, legal fees and home repairs, if needed.

The program covers both new constructions or buying an existing property. It includes manufactured homes and used mini homes that are in very good condition and not more than ten years old. If you are buying a property, limited repair work may be included in the total cost. For new construction, the purchase of land is an eligible cost.

The program is for families or individuals with a gross household income of $55,000 or less. Applicant must also: 

• be a first-time homeowner or living in a unit that is beyond reasonable repair
• have a good credit rating (650 or above) and meet all lending requirements for obtaining a first mortgage as described by the Housing NB
• have a shelter cost-to-income ratio of no more than 32%, this is the proportion of your household income spent on shelter costs, including mortgage payments, taxes and heat
• have a total debt service ratio of no more than 40%, this refers to the percentage of your gross annual income you need to cover all other debts and loans as well as shelter costs